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Life and Writings ,] 




George W; A bell 



PETER AINSLIE. 



"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the fir- 
mament ; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars 
for ever and ever." — Daniel xii: 3. 

"How blest the righteous when he dies." — 



RICHMOND : 

Clemmitt &> Jones, Publishers and Printers, 

1875. 




f 



I LIBRARY 
I Of CO If ORE tS J 

WASHINGTON 



*v$ 



Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year one thousand 
eight hundred and seventy-five, by 

Wm. H. Clemmitt, 
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 






•2- 



PREFACE. 

rriHE biographical portraiture presented in this 
volume is, we humbly hope, sufficiently com- 
prehensive to give the reader a correct view of 
the life and labors of the eminently useful and 
self-sacrificing brother who is its subject. 

We have suffered him and others to speak 
of his labors whenever we could, believing the 
reader would be better assured of correctness 
than from notes taken from memory. By this 
means we have authenticated statements and a 
greater variety of events presented than we 
could* have introduced. But we regret that we 
were forced to leave out many incidents con^ 
nected with his life, furnished by his own notes 
and the kindness of brethren. 

In after time, this volume will furnish material 
for the historian to refer to churches which were 



IV PREFACE. 

planted and watered by George W. Abell, and 
also to men who were his co-laborers. He will 
be able to see events as they actually occurred 
and men as they really were, without calling' 
upon the imagination to furnish the material. 

Wherein we have fallen short of the object in 
view, we ask the indulgence of the reader. 



INTRODUCTION. 



GOD, in his providence, seems to furnish men for the needs and the 
emergencies of every period in the progress of His truth. As His 
truth advances evolutions ensue, and periods mark its stages, while God, 
by His mysteriously working power, raises up men, through whom He 
removes obstacles, and gives renewed impetus' to its movements. A mere 
sketch of His workings in this particular will suffice for an introduction 
to the subject of these pages. 

In the fullness of prophetic time, the "Light of Israel" shone upon 
the hills of Judea, and after having finished His work among its inhabitants, 
by His own innate divine power ascended to the altitude of the universe, 
while His lesser lights, following in His track, shed their borrowed rays 
not only in Judea, but in Samaria, and from thence to Gentile cities;" but 
a more brilliant star was chosen to bear the light to the uttermost parts of 
the earth, to open the eyes of those in heathen darkness, and set at liberty 
those in bondage. So triumphant was the truth, and so general was its 
proclamation, that this latter agent, in the hands of God, said it had been 
preached to eveiy creature under heaven. Desolate places were made 
glad, and many a desert blossomed as the rose. The light of the Lord, 
for some years, shone upon the earth, but, in process of time, it became 
obscured by the dark clouds of the man of sin, and darkness reigned 
supreme over the fair face of Judea's hallowed hills and plains, and the 
whole of Europe, and parts of Asia and Africa. It was a darkness that 
could be felt. Men groaned beneath jts oppressions. But the ever watch- 
ful eye of Jehovah saw where the generating focus of that darkness was 
located, and he raised up a Luther, with giant mind and iron nerve, to 
weaken its power, by flinging the rays of celestial light into the Vatican, 
which caused the Pope to tremble in St. Peter's chair, and his cardinals to 
quake with fear. He was possessed of a determined will and of a spirit 
that was a stranger to fear. Opposition, and the rage of enemies, steadied 

him for the conflict. In heart he was opposed to strife, but when and 
2 



VI INTRODUCTION. 

where conviction led him he would discharge his duties, though demons 
stood in his pathway. But in his hours of respite he needed the mild, 
gentle and soothing consolations of a comforting voice, and to this end 
the God of all grace raised up a Melancthon. God often chooses the 
humble in this world to confound the mighty. These two agents, in the 
hand of God, were of humble origin ; the former was the son of a poor 
German miner, and the latter the son of an obscure smith ; but their names 
have become as imperishable as those of C?esar and Hannibal. Luther 
confined his great powers to the demolition of the corruptions of Roman- 
ists, and to the advocacy of the doctrine of justification by faith, without 
the deeds of the Jewish law and the pseudo works of the mother of harlots. 

Time moved on apace, and other fields of divine wisdom remained un- 
touched by the master minds of God's overruling providence. God had 
a work to be done; another blow had to be struck at the corruption of 
Romanism, and other truths had to be eliminated from tb,e arcanum of 
divine wisdom. And by divine evolution John Calvin stepped upon the 
arena, with such genius, scholarship and eloquence, as to call forth the 
admiration of his enemies, while they shrank with terror beneath his heavy 
blows. Nor did he confine his powers to the exposure of the corruptions 
of Romanism, but he espoused the theory of Augustine in regard to un- 
conditional election, eternal reprobation, and final perseverance. While 
much in his writings, upon these and kindred subjects, is of questionable 
correctness, it must be confessed that his disciplined and well-stored mind 
enabled him, with his eloquent tongue and ready pen, to present most 
powerfully to his compeers truths hitherto unknown to them. From his 
labors a new era dawned upon the religious world. Surrounded as he 
was by men seeing through glasses darkly, and by theories corrupt and 
corrupting in their influence, it would have been strange indeed for him to 
have seen every ray of divine light with the clearness of an infallible eye. 
His mistakes, in the lapse of time, will find graves to which the hand of 
a resurrection will not point, while # the truths he drew from the hidden 
treasures of infinite wisdom will shine brighter and brighter until they are 
lifted far above every obscuring cloud. Calvin had his enemies; he has 
them now ; he had his faults and his errors ; but let any man read his life, 
and post himself as to his political, civil and religious surroundings, and 
he will be forced to confess that John Calvin was a great and a good man. 

Men were more and more relieved from the bondage of Romanism, but 
as the tendency of the human mind is to observe forms and ceremonies 



INTRODUCTION. VII 

regardless of the deep-toned piety of the heart, the reformation, in many- 
places, consisted in a mere conformity to forms, regardless of the inward 
workings of the Holy Spirit. It was a crying evil, it blighted the joys 
and comforts arising from a meek and quiet spirit. It was as destitute of 
warmth as the iceberg that obstructs the Arctic ocean. The Lord looked 
from heaven upon this scene, and brought into active exercise the devoted 
John Wesley. It is true, at first, he moved with tardy steps, but it was 
only to survey his own heart and his surroundings. His aims were all 
good, and he struck a blow at Episcopal formalism, from which it has 
never recovered, and inaugurated a system which was grand in its designs, 
but too unbridled in its workings. Yet that great good was done, and is 
now being done by his efforts, all most joyfully admit; but the fiery zeal, 
undisciplined by divine precaution, imparted to his co-workers an enthu- 
siasm that ripened almost into a total disregard to the form of sound words, 
and a disrespect for the ordinances delivered to the chosen Twelve. And 
this state of things spread to an injurious extent among other denomina- 
tions, especially in America, during the early part of this century. They 
soon learned to speak of the ordinances of Christ as " mere forms, mere 
bodily forms;" and imitating those from whom they borrowed their fana- 
ticism, they would in wild phrenzy, with uplifted hands and eyes, exclaim : 
41 Give me the religion of the heart, the Holy Ghost in the heart; yes, give 
me heart religion, but as for your forms and ceremonies they are nothing, 
nothing, nothing." Thus were the divine ordinances, with all their loyalty- 
testing virtues and rich blessings, hooted into contempt. 

But the Lord never slumbers nor sleeps. His eyes are ever open ; and 
he watches with tenderness his people, and guards his truth with faithfulness. 
But to meet the wants of his people and his truth at this time, a man must 
be raised up with the determined will and iron nerve of Luther, the ge- 
nius, learning and eloquence of Calvin, and the devotion and piety of 
Wesley; he must also be an adept in debate, and he must have large ad- 
ministrative powers. That man was Alexander Campbell, of Bethany, 
Brooke county, Virginia. He entered upon his work in the fear of the 
Lord, and with a boldness never before seen among religionists in this 
western world. His scholarship and his powers as a speaker and a ready 
writer were admitted by all men of true scholarship. His honesty no one 
could question. His great aims were to unfold to his fellow men the pre- 
cious truths in the scheme of redemption, to draw men from the wild and 
unscriptural theories of sectarianism to the word of God that liveth and. 



VIII INTRODUCTION. 

abideth forever, and to an intelligent faith in Jesus the Christ. He com- 
menced a general exposure of sectarianism in all of its phases — from the 
cold and frigid rules of formalism, to the wild and unbridled fanaticism or 
the mourning bench ; from the hair-splitting abstruse questions of a life- 
less theology, to a confused pseudo-religious animalism; and at the same 
time, with great ability, he urged a return to a pure speech, to the ancient 
gospel and the ancient order of facts, commands and promises, as set 
forth by Jesus and the sacred twelve. For these things he was attacked 
by the learned and the ignorant, and by the refined and the rude. Wit,, 
sarcasm, learning and burlesque, were brought to bear upon him with all 
their powers ; but he never wavered, for he knew he stood upon the truth 
of God, which was firmer than the hills of his own Bethany home. He 
was chosen of God for a mighty work ; and that work, by His grace, he 
was determined to do. But in all of his combats for the truth, he ever 
showed a life renewed by the Holy Spirit and sanctified by grace. And 
the Lord provided him with holy brethren, who were ever ready to com- 
fort him in all of these struggles. One of these was his bosom friend,. 
Walter Scott; and another, who was ever his brother of consolation, still 
lives nigh u.ito Bethany. And during the latter part of these heroic strug- 
gles for the truth of God, there lived in eastern Virginia an humble, pious, 
holy man, filled with the Holy Spirit, having untiring energy, ever burning 
zeal, working by day and night for the conversion of sinners and the 
building up of the churches of God, and that man was George W. 
Abell, the subject of the following biographical sketch, to whom special 
attention will now be called. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 

Brother Abell's parents— his brothers — date of his birth — his train- 
ing — his morals — his love of fun, mischief and truth — his school 
days. Incidents of his early life — his first religious impressions 
and confession of Christ — his immediate consecration to the minis- 
try — entrance into the University — his health injured, by hard 
study — he is brought "nigh unto death." 

CHAPTER II. 

The purposes of God in affliction. Brother Abell renews the study 
of the Scriptures — his "faith alone" doctrine shaken. He attends 
the preaching of R. L. Coleman, is convinced, and unites with the 
Disciples. His sectarian friends report him deranged — cold treat- 
ment — his meekness — exclusion from the Baptist church — an 
account of his change of temperament, or, what some called his 
" derangement." 

CHAPTER III. 

He still attends the University of Virginia — close application to 
study — forgetting even his meals. An incident of his perseverance 
in study — a "rabbit" hunt for recreation. He graduates — strong 
in mind but weak in body. He "tries to preach" — expresses 
doubts of success — encouraged by brethren Coleman and Goss — 
says "he will die in the harness." His first preaching tour, ac- 
companied by brother Goss — returned improved in health, and free 
from erroneous impressions. 

CHAPTER IV. 

His visit to Scottsville — John Tyler and J. T. Barclay his com- 
panions — Tilt with a Baptist preacher. Visit to Nelson county — 



X CONTENTS. 



its good results. Visits his parents — their prejudices removed. 
Courtship and marriage. Resides three years in Charlottesville — 
teaches school and preaches occasionally — two children born to 
him. More affliction — its effect, upon him. Removed to Orange 
county and continued to teach — death of his little daughter — deter- 
mines to abandon teaching and devote his whole time to preaching — 
accepts the appointment of "general evangelist." 31 

CHAPTER V. 

Brother Abell's desire to do good — devoid of ambition — his sacrifice 
of home comforts — the trials and responsibilities of his wife. Let- 
ters of Alexander Fitzpatrick, concerning brother Abell's previous 
labors. Letters from brother Abell announcing the death of his 
child, and the success of his evangelizing efforts. 39 

CHAPTER VI. 

Brother Abell commences his labors as general evangelist. Letters 
reporting his success in i850-'52. His success raised the ire of a 
Methodist minister, who challenges the immersionists. J. A. Cow- 
gill's defence of "the truth." The modesty of brethren Abell and 
Hunter prevents them from reporting their labors. Brothers Jones 
and Cowgill report. Letter from G. W. Abell to R. L. Coleman. 49 

CHAPTER VII. 

Reasons assigned for brother Abell's failure to report his success. 
He removes his family to Scottsville. More affliction — it hinders 
his work. He desponds over failure. His firm confidence that the 
Lord will spare him to work in His vineyard. Reports of his la- 
bors this year — 1853. Removal from Scottsville to Oak Forest, 
Cumberland, at which place he lost a child, and had one born to 
him. 64 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Brother Abell's views af the liquor traffic. His annual report for 
1854. Letters respecting his work in 1855— '6 — and his annual re- 
ports for i856-'7-'8-'9. 74 



CONTENTS. XI 



CHAPTER IX. 

No report between the Fall of 1859 and the Spring of i860. A suc- 
cessful meeting in Hanover. Characteristic incidents. Sketches 
of brother AbelPs character and life by brethren Walthall and Cole- 
man. Partial reports of his labors during the late civil war. ' 99 

CHAPTER X. 

Brother Abell employed in preaching to the army and teaching 
school from the winter of 1863 to the winter of 1864. Resumes 
evangelizing work in the spring of 1866. His eighteenth annual 
report — 1867. His horse falls and breaks his leg. His remarka- 
able character portrayed in his patience and perseverance under 
this affliction. Resigns his position as evangelist in May, 1868. 130 

CHAPTER XL 

Correspondence of brother Abell with the brotherhood in Virginia, 
through the Examiner, from June, 1868, to November, 1869. 
He debates with a Methodist. D. A. Snow's account of this 
debate. 147 

CHAPTER XII. 

Brother Abell's evangelizing work during the year 1870, including a 
visit to east Tennessee. 175, 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Brother Abell realizes answer to his prayers in the conversion of his 
children. A condensed report of his labors from the year 1871. 
He locates in Murfreesboro', Tennessee. Farewell address to the 
Virginia brotherhood. The last letter he wrote for publication. 
Brief account of his sickness, death and burial. 198 



CHAPTER I. 

Brother Abell's parents — his brothers — date of his birth — his training — his 
morals — his love of fun, mischief and truth — his school days. Inci- 
dents of his early life — his first religious impressions and confession of 
Christ — his immediate consecration to the ministry — entrance into the 
University — his health injured by hard study — he is brought " nigh unto 
death." 

IN the physical and moral development, much 
depends upon ancestry, and more depends 
upon the mother than upon the father, though 
both have the destinies of their children in their 
hands. "Bring up a child in the way he should 
go, and when he is old he will not depart from it," 
is true as a general rule, and it is exemplified in 
the life of George W. Abell. His father, John 
S. Abell, enjoyed the benefits of a pious mother, 
and his life reflected honor upon her memory. 
He was a worthy boy, an exemplary young man, 
a Christian gentleman, and a devoted minister in 
the Baptist church. He was not what is called 
an educated man, but of strong mind and of stu- 
dious habits. He became a Christian at an early 
age; commenced preaching at twenty-five, but 
was not ordained until he was forty. His wife 



2 BIOGRAPHY OF 

confessed her faith in Jesus at an early age, but 
was not baptized for some years after her mar- 
riage. This delay arose from the low estimate 
which was at that day placed upon what was then 
called " outward forms." The Baptists since then 
have learned better, and are approximating to 
apostolic usage. Father Abell died in 1859, and 
mother Abell in 1872. They had only three 
children, viz: A. P. Abell, George W. Abell and 
J. R. Abell, all boys. The first and the last are 
living, and are honorable and useful members of 
the Baptist church. 

Father and mother Abell were very careful as 
to the morals of these three boys. But we will 
only speak particularly of our brother George 
W. Abell. He was born on the nth of Decem- 
ber, 1 81 8, in Albemarle county, two miles west 
of the University of Virginia, where his father 
and mother resided, for fifty years. His parents, 
by precept and example, impressed him with 
religious reverence. He was taught to read 
and . to reverence the Holy Scriptures, and to 
offer up regularly his evening prayer. But it 
was not so much the custom then as now to 
make special efforts to teach children the Gos- 
pel, the plan of salvation, or the obedience of 
faith; consequently, very little, if any, in that di- 
rection was taught him. This arose not from 



GEO. W. ABELL. 3 

the want of interest in his religious welfare, but 
from the want of a knowledge of the plan of sal- 
vation on the one side, and on the other a belief 
in a pseudo "divine influence." In that day, and 
in some localities more than in others, this doc- 
trine was the source of much anguish to many 
an anxious parent's heart, and also the source 
of unspeakable unhappiness to many an inquir- 
ing sin-sick soul. 

There were family prayers, and the reading ot 
the Bible with the "notes and practical observa- 
tions" of Scott, which were greatly admired by 
his pious father, but which were not likely to 
teach little boys "the way of truth" in saving 
souls. But in a general manner, they were not 
without significance and a moral influence. 

His morals were remarkably pure. He was 
full of life and of fun — exceedingly bright, witty, 
mischievous and active — the life of his com- 
panions and the family circle. To illustrate his 
juvenile love of fun: not seeing the moral nature 
of such an act, he on one occasion set fire to 
some "brush piles," near the mountain of his 
father's home, and gave the alarm of fire, so 
that he might enjoy the excitement of his 
father, the servants and the neighbors, and see 
them running from every direction to subdue 
it. On another occasion he acted similarly, 



4 BIOGRAPHY OF 

but his father caught him soon after the fire 
had extended about a hundred yards, under 
suspicious circumstances; and though a lover 
of fun, yet such a lover of truth that, when 
questioned by his father, he frankly confessed 
that he had put fire to the "brush pile" then and 
theretofore ; and, as one of his old schoolmates 
says, " Wash got the flogging of his life for it, 
and he never used fire as a means of fun after- 
wards." This contrasts strangely with his solemn 
words and actions in after years ; but the reason 
of the change will be fully explained before we 
get through these pages. 

He commenced attending school when he was 
seven years old, and had to walk two miles morn- 
ing and evening. He was very much opposed 
to going to a country school. He regarded a 
country school-house as a place of torture, and 
a country schoolmaster as a monster; and he 
would try to convince his father and his mother 
that he ought not to be sent to any such house, 
nor to any such teacher : and it is said that his 
arguments had an effect upon his parents, and 
that they would not have continued him there 
if they could have done better. His arguments 
were divided somewhat as follows : i . It was 
too great a tax upon his strength to walk two 
miles, and then do justice to the demands of his 



GEO. W. ABELL. 5 

mind. 2. The house was not the kind of house 
to teach school in. 3. The teacher was not the 
kind of a man to teach little boys. 

It is very likely that this little boy, about eight 
or nine years old, had in embryo more know- 
ledge of such things than many of the old 
fathers. He was a very determined boy in his 
convictions. One little incident must suffice, at 
this time, to illustrate this : one morning he com- 
menced his oft repeated arguments to convince 
his mother and the servant that" he ought not to 
go to such a school; and while he was being 
dressed for his departure, the conflict became 
so warm that he broke from the servant, leaving 
his under garment in her hands, and ran off in 
a nude state and hid himself in a neighboring 
thicket, greatly to the amusement of the wit- 
nesses. Being found, he yielded to the persua- 
sion of his kind mother, whom he most tenderly 
loved. 

George was not particularly fond of physical 
work, especially in the Summer. After he got 
to be twelve or fourteen years old, he and his 
two brothers entered into a co-partnership to 
cultivate a lot in corn: All went on very well 
until a very hot day. They worked up to eleven 
o'clock; at last George called to his brothers to 
listen to a speech he would deliver to them. 



6 BIOGRAPHY OF 

They came to him; and he, resting upon his 
hoe handle, with the perspiration streaming down 
his face, said: "I cannot work in this hot sun, it 
is too warm for me. I am made for some other 
work; and these things being so, boys, I believe 
I will resign my commission and retire to the*- 
shade." So the co-partnership was dissolved. 

He attended country schools only five or six 
years; but during this time he had made great 
progress in his studies, not because he admired 
either the schools or the teachers, but because 
of his aptness and his desire for knowledge. 
There was one gift he possessed to a very high 
degree, viz: to use with readiness, whenever it 
was necessary, all he knew. He could talk or 
write it without any difficulty. 

When he left the country school, he expressed 
himself as highly honored. He did this in order 
to enter a store in Charlottesville, where he re- 
mained for a while, and then became an assistant 
in the post-office in that town. But he soon left 
and entered a classical school taught by Pike 
Powers and Alexander Duke; and his desire for 
knowledge was so great that he engaged also 
the instruction of George W. Trueheart. He 
now brought into exercise all the powers of his 
mind. He advanced rapidly in his studies, and 
grew in favor with his teachers and all with 



GEO. W. ABELL. 7 

whom he became acquainted, not only because 
of his studious habits, but also because of his 
high moral character. The veneration he had 
for his pious father, and his love for his Christ- 
like mother, greatly endeared him to the citizens 
of Charlottesville. 

Children have their likes and their dislikes, 
' and they should be respected, else the otherwise 
sprightly boy may be regarded as stupid. George 
was not an exception to this rule; and it is a ques- 
tion, all the circumstances considered, whether 
it would not have been better for him not to 
have gone to a school he considered unfit for 
him to attend, and to a teacher he regarded 
unqualified to teach him. The greatest differ- 
ence was observed in his whole manner after 
he entered the school of Mr. Powers. He felt 
the increased responsibilities • of his new school 
relations, and was determined to discharge 
them with credit to himself and to his parents. 
It is the opinion of some of the best minds that 
no man is qualified to teach any kind of a school 
unless he is a classical scholar. George, though 
a little boy, seems to have seen this by intuition. 
Hence his repugnance to what was called coun- 
try schools, or old field schools. But great 
changes have taken place since that day in 
regard to the qualifications of country school 



8 BIOGRAPHY OF 

teachers: we have now for such schools teachers 
of fine scholarship and admirable disciplinary 
qualifications. 

When he was about sixteen years old, he be- 
came concerned about his salvation, but he was 
very reticent upon the subject, though his parents 
saw that he was deeply concerned. They had 
little or no conversation with him upon the sub- 
ject, not because they did not feel an interest 
in his happiness, but they t knew he not only 
thought for himself, but would act out his own 
convictions. He was himself in all matters. 
When convinced of his duty, he would per- 
form it regardless of the opinions of others; 
and in religious matters this trait of character 
was conspicuously manifest. He was not very 
long in making a religious determination; and 
as soon as this was gained, he approached his 
brother A. P. Abell, and informed him of his 
faith in Jesus the Christ and his determination to 
be baptized. This gave much joy to his brother 
and to his father and mother. He was baptized 
forthwith by his father, near Charlottesville, and 
united with the Baptist church of that town. He 
had much comfort of heart in the assurance of 
pardon and the hope of eternal life. Up to this 
time he had cherished aspirations of a worldly 
nature for his future course; but such was the 



• GEO. W. ABELL. 9 

power of redeeming grace that he came to the 
determination to sacrifice all for the cause of 
Christ, by preparing himself for the Christian 
ministry. He commenced at once to exhort and 
pray in prayer meetings, and was regarded by 
the members of the church almost as a prodigy 
of learning; and he was encouraged by all 
laudable means to carry out his determination 
to preach the gospel. 

While attending the classical school in Char- 
lottesville he studied all the branches usually 
taught in such schools, and, as has been stated, 
made great progress in his studies. " He was 
well prepared to enter the University, which he 
did when he was about twenty years old. Here 
he showed the same determination of character 
that had marked his previous course. No Latin, 
Greek, or Mathematical difficulty was so great 
that he could not remove. He was what was 
then and is now called "a hard student." This 
he carried to such an extent as to impair his 
health. He seemed for a time to sacrifice every- 
thing for his studies; even his religious duties 
were neglected, and he partially if not entirely 
abandoned the high purpose of consecrating him- 
self to the gospel ministry, at least for the time. 
His idea was somewhat in this wise: He would 
thoroughly educate himself, take a high position 



IO BIOGRAPHY OF 

in the political world, by which he could com- 
mand great influence, and, this being gained, he 
would turn all to the advancement of the cause 
of Christ. For this end he studied day and 
night, trespassed upon Lord's day, denied him- 
self any relief or rest, and cruelly crushed his 
health, and his mind trembled beneath the pres- 
sure. But there is a Superior and Superintend- 
ing Power, with sleepless eyes, ever looking upon 
his chosen ones. They may propose, but He 
disposes 

"And works His gracious will." 

He mercifully laid the hand of affliction upon 
him, and for many long months visited him with 
a wasting sickness; he was brought to the verge 
of the grave. His friends gave him every at- 
tention, and watched almost hopelessly for the 
result. But the same Power that had brought 
him so low raised him up chastened, refined, 
purified, and with all the devotion and zeal of 
his conversion to God. 



GEO. W. ABELL. 1 1 



CHAPTER II. 

The purposes of God in affliction. Brother Abell renews the study of 
the Scriptures — his "faith alone" doctrine shaken. He attends the 
preaching of R. L. Coleman, is convinced, and unites with the Disci- 
ples. His sectarian friends report him deranged — cold treatment — 
his meekness — exclusion from the Baptist church — an account of his 
change of temperament, or, what some called his "derangement." 

/~^ OD works to bring about his will concerning 
^-^ us, whether we be aliens, luke-warm Chris- 
tians or apostates, but always through instrumen- 
talities. His Word is the chief means to which all 
other means are subservient. He uses his Word 
through the church with all of its ordinances, 
severally and collectively, to work out his will, and 
also through his Providence. Hence we have 
preaching, exhortation, prayer, singing, the sup- 
per, Christian conversation, a shake of the hand, 
an expressive eye and countenance; also news 
favorable or unfavorable concerning persons and 
things, the sickness or death of friends, or of 
those not even within the circle of our acquaint- 
ance, the acquisition of wealth or the loss of 
property, and of our own sickness. 



12 BIOGRAPHY OF 

Men are wont to look upon sickness and kin- 
dred visitations as mere casualties, because they 
are the effects of natural causes. But are they 
prepared to say, because they are thus produced, 
therefore God had nothing* to do with them? 
How came the lame man at the beautiful gate 
of the temple? the death of Lazarus and the 
widow's son? the man that was born blind? 
These were all lessons to teach us the power of 
God. And the same power that was taught in 
them is the same power that ought , to be ac- 
knowledged in our privations ' and afflictions. 
Brother Abell is represented to have been an 
exceedingly ambitious young man, loved to excel 
others; and this aspiration caused him almost to 
forget his vows to God. But as God had a work 
for him to do, and that work called for humility, 
the Lord in kindness taught him a most useful 
lesson by bringing him to see the weakness of 
himself. In truth he could then say, "Before I 
was afflicted I went astray." If this affliction had 
been withheld he might have been lost, and the 
thousands he brought into covenant with God 
might this day have been without hope and with- 
out God. ■ 

" God moves in a mysterious way 
His wonders to perform." 

But much of this mystery is unveiled when we 




GEO. W. ABELL. I 3. 

trace his dealings with the Israelites and with 
the early church, as recorded in the New Testa- 
ment. One of the great difficulties with us is, 
that we remove ourselves too far from his deal- 
ings with men of sacred memory. As he then 
acted with men in his providence, so he acts 
now, both in conversion and in growth of grace. 
Brother Abell commenced studying the Scrip- 
tures anew, and on one occasion, in conversation 
with brother Samuel Teel, an old schoolmate, 
upon the subject of baptism for remission of sins. 
and its kindred. subjects, he entered into the fol- 
lowing agreement: That they should study these 
subjects as if they had never studied them be- 
fore, and the one . who was convinced he was 
wrong should own it and act accordingly. Bro- 
ther Teel and brother Abell had frequent inter- 
views during this compact. They talked freely 
upon the differences between them. Brother 
Abell contended for justification by faith alone, 
and that faith was an immediate gift of God, and 
that salvation was unconditional; that the sinner 
had nothing to do, but to wait for the change 
which God would bring about in his own good 
time and pleasure. In one of these interviews, 
brother Abell brought up the case of the cure 
of the Israelites from the bite of the serpent. 
"Now," said he, "here is a case typicalof salva- 



14 BIOGRAPHY OF 

tion from sin, and the Israelites had nothing to 
do." Brother Teel replied: "They had to look." 
Here the interview ended, but in a few days they 
had another, and brother Abell, with his usual 
candor and honesty, acknowledged that he "had 
never noticed that word 'look' before, and that 
the study of it had made a cfeep impression upon 
his mind, and had somewhat shaken his founda- 
tion." 

Brother Abell was regarded as a bright star 
in the Baptist ecclesiastical heavens. He was 
learned above the young men in the Baptist min- 
istry, zealous and devoted, had a strong will, bent 
upon success, and was regarded with religious 
pride by his church. Had his brethren known at 
this time that he was in such an agreement with 
brother Teel, they would no doubt have paid 
more attention to his associates; but they knew 
nothing of it. He was a young man of such 
independence of spirit and inquiry that he read 
every book worthy of being read, and would go 
and hear any one preach who could impart to 
him any information. 

On a Lord's day evening in 1840 or 1841, he 
was in Charlottesville, and desired to hear a dis- 
course before he returned home to his father's, 
and it being inclement weather, so that no other 
church was open but the Disciples', he concluded 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 5 

to go there and hear brother R. L. Coleman. 
The congregation was small, and sat very com- 
pactly together, near the pulpit. There was no- 
thing, so far as the congregation was concerned, 
to inspire a preacher to an extra effort, until this 
young man entered the house and walked up and 
took a seat in rear of the congreation. Immedi- 
ately brother Coleman became inspired with the 
hope of doing this young Baptist preacher some 
good. Brother Coleman was then in^ his prime; 
young in years, tall in stature, graceful in manner 
and had a well stored mind and fine command of 
language. As soon as he arose to speak all saw 
that he was about to give them something rich in 
thought and comforting to the heart. It has been 
said that he delivered one of the finest efforts of 
his life upon that occasion. His subject was well 
selected, the arrangement well made, and his 
arguments powerful and unanswerable, and he 
closed with a most instructive appeal in favor of 
the old gospel. He read the tenth of Romans, 
dwelling on that portion between the sixth and 
eleventh verses. Brother Abell went there to 
hear with candor, and his attention was secured 
from the first to the last, and he left the house, as 
he said subsequently to brother Coleman, deeply 
impressed with the conviction that he had heard 
most interesting and important truths, which so 



1 6 BIOGRAPHY OF 

absorbed his mind that in walking about three 
miles to his home he took no notice of the path 
he trod. 

On the next day he sought an interview with 
brother Coleman, in which he informed him of 
the effect of his discourse, how it absorbed his 
thoughts and enlightened his mind upon the 
Christian system, especially that part in regard 
to the plan of saving aliens from the guilt of sin, 
and making them heirs of the promises; and 
closed the interview by saying, I cannot remain 
with the Baptists with my present views, and 
shall, with the help of the Lord, be at the Chris- 
tian church next Lord's day, and unite with you 
on the Bible alone. 

After this interview, he went to brother Teel 
and informed him of his convictions and his 
determination to unite with the Disciples, which 
he did on the next Lord's day, greatly to the 
astonishment of his parents, his brother Alex- 
ander, and his Baptist brethren. It was carried 
through the town, and to nearly every house in a 
few hours after it took place. It was one of 
those things which sometimes take place in little 
country towns, that creates a sensation, and the 
animus of sectarianism reasoned thus: This 
strange act on the part of George W. Abell 
must be so explained as not to be creditable to 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 7 

the Disciples nor to brother Abell. How must 
it be done? Can any one devise a plan? Ah! 
now we have it: we recollect he has been very 
sick, nigh unto death, and that before he was 
taken sick, from childhood up to the very time 
of his sickness, he was one of the most playful, 
joyous, sprightly boys, always full of fun, ever 
ready for sport and the life of every circle, but 
ever since his sickness he has been thoughtful 
and solemn — seems to be always in communion 
with sacred things, and acts as if he thought it a 
sin to laugh. Now what conclusion must we 
come to in regard fo this strange action, except it 
be that he is deranged. So it was circulated, 
"far and near," that George W. Abell was de- 
ranged. And to such votaries of sectarianism 
there could be no other explanation! 

But he bore most meekly all their taunts, 
ridicules and divisions. Former bosom com- 
panions treated him with coldness, and those with 
whom he once took sweet counsel shunned him, 
but he was at all times the same even-tempered 
and quiet-minded Christian young man. His 
enemies were astonished at his meekness, and 
could not explain it on any other ground than 
that of his derangement! They could not see 
that the grace of God, which was ever present 

with him, sustained him in all of his trials. He 
. 2 



1 8 BIOGRAPHY OF 

talked but little with those who differed from him, 
but whenever he did, he was meek and gentle in 
spirit,- and strong and pointed in argument. 

George W. Abell was regarded as a good 
young man, one calculated to do much good, an 
ornament to his family name, and an honor to 
the Baptist church. No one could bring any 
charge against him of an immoral character, nor 
of his short-comings as a Christian gentleman; 
and the pastor of the Baptist church of Char- 
lottesville said to him that there was no necessity 
for him to leave and join the "Campbellites," for 
he could hold and preach his faith in the influence 
of the Holy Spirit and his views in the design of 
baptism, and still remain a member of the Bap- 
tist church. But, after all of this, the Baptist 
church in Charlottesville acted against him as 
they would have acted against a drunkard or a 
debauchee, and upon their church book are these 
words: "George W. Abell, excluded, February 
26th, 1842." And for what was he excluded? 
Was it for holding views for which he would not 
be excluded from the Baptist church ? And the 
question re-echoes : For what? And the answer 
is, that the Baptist church at that time was either 
ignorant of her duty, or was actuated by hate, ill- 
will, or a deep-seated maliciousness. Nor have 
the Baptists in that church had the magnamity 



1 



GEO. W. ABELL. 1 9 

nor the Christianity to make honorable amends 
up to this day. But there it stands recorded: 
"George W. Abell, excluded!" — a pure, holy, 
and godly man! — one that believed with all his 
heart in Jesus the Christ, had repented of his 
sins, and been baptized into the name of the 
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 
by John S. Abell, his father, a faithful member 
of the Baptist church, and from the day of his 
baptism to the day of his death was an ornament 
to the Christian profession ! But they say that 
was the deed of their fathers. Ah! indeed! But 
if they had the religion of the Christ, they would 
rectify the deed of their fathers by repudiating 
their acts and entering the same upon their 
church books ; but no, they will not do it, there 
it stands, and with their free will they are de- 
termined it shall stand, until God, the judge of 
all, confronts them with it in the day of judg- 
ment. Well, if they can stand it, George W. 
Abell can. My soul enter thou not into the 
result of that decision. 

Brother Abell never wavered, but trusted in* 
the Lord, and sought constantly the companion- 
ship of brother Coleman and the members of the 
church. From these he gained much encourage- 
ment, and grew stronger and stronger in the 



20 BIOGRAPHY OF 

faith once delivered to the saints, while the sally- 
ing and vivacious spirit of brother Goss was to 
his soul as the reviving brook is to the weary 
traveler in a thirsty land. It is true that previous 
to his sickness he had all the liveliness and vi- 
vacity spoken of, and that after his recovery he 
was always grave and solemn — seldom laughed 
heartily, and never joked nor engaged in light 
conversation. But why this change? The an- 
swer is at hand: he was impressed with the idea 
that his love of mirthfulness, associated with his 
ambition, was the cause of the change from his 
early determination to devote himself to the 
ministry, to his inclination for political life, and 
that his sickness was a correcting rod in the hand 
of God. Believing these things, he was deter- 
mined by grace to kiss the hand that smote him, 
and to crucify the besetments of his early life; 
hence he never after this sought the houses of 
the great, nor their society, but would rather go 
among the poor, and preach to the humble. He 
once said to the writer of this biography, that 
"an ambitious preacher was a curse to any 
church and to any neighborhood." Whenever 
a preacher talks about making a name for him- 
self, about reaching the niche of fame, he is a 
stranger to the spirit of the gospel ministry, or is 



GEO. W. ABELL. 21 

ignorant of the meaning of the word ambition. 
The man of God will flee from ambition ! 

" I charge thee fling away ambition : 
By that sin fell the angels; how can man then, 
The image of his Maker, hope to win by it? 
Love thyself last; cherish those hearts that hate thee : . 
Corruption wins not more than honesty; 
Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, 
To silence envious tongues; Be just and fear not: 
Let all the ends thou aim'st at, be thy country's, 
Thy God's, and truth's; then if thou fall'st, O— 
Thou fall'st a blessed martyr." — Shak. 



22 BIOGRAPHY OF 






CHAPTER III. 



He still attends the University of Virginia — close application to study — 
forgetting even his meals. An incident of his perseverance in study — 
a "rabbit" hunt for recreation. He graduates — strong in mind but 
weak in body. He "tries to preach" — expresses doubts of success — 
encouraged by brethren Coleman & Goss — says "he will die in the 
harness." His first preaching tour, accompanied by brother Goss — 
returned improved in health, and free from erroneous impression's. 

BROTHER ABELL continued to attend the 
University with his usual promptness. He 
advanced in his arduous studies with slowness 
but with great thoroughness. He lived at home 
with his father, and preferred to walk two miles, 
evening and morning, for the exercise, rather 
than ride. He studied now to qualify himself 
for usefulness in the cause of God. His ambi- 
tion, his inclination for politics, and his aspiration 
for fame, had all banished from his mind and 
heart. But he still studied too hard and too 
unremitingly. When at home he would confine 
himself to his studies to such an extent as to 
refuse to leave and go to his meals, but would 
have them brought to his room, and even then 



GEO. W. ABELL. 23 

would forget to eat, nor would he or the servant 
know anything of his forgetfulness until the 
second meal was brought to his room, and even 
then he would not stop until the close of a Latin 
or Greek sentence was reached, or a mathema- 
tical problem solved. He slept but little. This 
close application began to tell upon his health, 
and if he had not been favored with an iron 
constitution he woijld have sunk beneath. such 
labors. He would not give heed to the warnings 
of father nor mother nor friends. 

It is well to be studious, but brother Abell did 
his own manhood an injury, while his course 
grieved those endeared to him by the tenderest 
ties. But his way he would have, and his friends 
seeing this left him in the hands of Him who hath 
the issues of life and of death. 

Brother C. S. Lucas in a letter written to bro- 
ther Clemmitt says: 

On the first Lord's day in June 1873, after preaching at eleven o'clock 
in Charlottesville, I proceeded, in company with brother Teel, to Cedar 
Grove, to fill an appointment at four o'clock in the afternoon. The day 
was oppressively warm, and the roads, over which we travelled the dis- 
tance of seven miles, were rough and dusty. While wending our way 
through the ragged mountains, following the meanderings of Moore's 
creek, we came in view of a very neat dwelling, situated to the right of 
the road, in a beautiful grove. On nearing this antique building, I was 
suddenly awakened from that preaching trance — into which all preachers 
fall when they have to preach and don't ^know what about — by my com- 
panion announcing "here is where brother Abell was born and raised." 



24 BIOGRAPHY OF 

My curiosity was instantly aroused. I at once determined to examine the 
spot where this veteran soldier of the cross was born. We turned aside 
and # rode up into the yard. I felt like I was treading on hallowed ground. 
I saw many bushes, but, fortunately, none of them were burning. I 
alighted from my horse and began my inquiries. A neat little house, 
shaded by three locust trees of the." long, long ago," was pointed out to 
me as the studio of brother Abell in his schoolboy days. This furnished 
him a retreat from the busy, bustling world, where he could pursue his - 
studies in undisturbed quietude. Here he acquired those studious habits, 
and accumutlaed those stores of knowledge which have enabled him to 
accomplish so much for his Master and his race. 

Many interesting and instructive incidents and anecdotes were related to 
us, to which we listened with deep earnestness, touching his early life and 
studies. We mention two, characteristics of his great energy and deep 
sympathy. He walked to the University, several miles away, daily, while 
prosecuting his studies. This, of course, was fatiguing. Being a hard 
student, and perhaps in more ways than one, he sat up late at night. His 
cousin, who studied with him, often became sleepy, and suggested post- 
poning preparation until morning; whereupon the indefatigable "Wash," 
as they used to call him, would arise arid take his position erect in the 
centre of the floor. Joined by his kinsman, they would thus stand to 
overcome their drowsiness, and thus prepare their lessons before yielding 
to "nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep." I don't think "insurance" was 
as much in vogue then as now, but had I been a party in this hazardous 
adventure, I would certainly have had my neck insured before attempting 
to "stand" and study, or rather "stand and sleep." What is the secret 
of brother Abell's remarkable success ? has been asked me time and again. 
Picture to yourself a young man, wearied, fatigued and sleepy, after hav- 
ing walked several miles and recited his lessons, with an old, dry, unin- 
teresting Greek reader or grammar in his hand, standing erect to counteract 
drowsiness, and thus mastering his lessons, and you have the answer. Here 
we see that same untiring energy, persistent effort, and unremitting toil, 
which have made his labors so abundantly successful in the evangelical 
field. He is a worker now. He has always been a worker; and may he 
ever continue so to be. 

But his assiduous application to study threatened his health; so his 
teachers advised him to take exercise, and suggested the chase as perhaps 
best suited to interest and strengthen him. The arrangements were made, 



GEO. W. ABELL. 2K 

the student's gown and slippers were exchanged for the hunter's cap and 
bugle. The dogs were assembled, and the young Nimrod, bouyant with 
hope, started in search of game and fun. Very soon his troop of warriors 
started a hare from its bed, which gave him and his dogs a sharp race for 
a few minutes ; but being closely pressed by its pursuers, and perhaps 
frightened by the yelling of the dogs and the bugle blasts of their captain, 
it took a hole among some rocks. An adept in the chase, he cut a suita- 
ble stick to " twist him out," as the boys say, and was succeeding well,, 
when the animal began to moan most piteously. These signs of distress 
falling on his ears, touched his heart; he dropped his stick, gave up his 
game, abandoned the chase, and returned to his studies a wiser and a better 
man. Thus ends the history of brother Abell as a hunter, as it was re- 
lated to me. Here we see that deep, tender sympathy with suffering, 
which is still one of the prominent characteristics of his nature. May the 
Lord bless our brother, and induce others who seek amusement, employ- 
ment and pleasure in the pursuit of earthly things to recollect this " early 
rabbit hunt," and go and do as brother Abell has done. 

Brother Abell went through a very extensive 
course in the University, and graduated in every 
school with honor, except in the school oP Chem- 
istry. He had delayed this study until the last 
session, and failed in accomplishing his designs 
in so short a time. He always said that he re- 
garded it as providential. But so far as the 
other schools were concerned, he was a master. 
Brother Abell was now free from the University ; 
but he was, in physical appearance, wan, lifeless 
and weak. He had overtaxed his strength. He 
needed rest of mind and of body, and he sought 
it among his friends and his brethren. But a 
mind so long busily engaged could not so easily 
become disengaged from a habit which was a 



26 BIOGRAPHY OF 

part of its very nature. So he adopted what 
he called a light course of study, and that was 
to review his Latin, Greek and Mathematical 
course. 

From the time he united with the Disciples, 
he had been exercising his gifts as a speaker in 
prayer meetings, and at other times and places, 
whenever opportunities presented themselves. 
But now he commenced, as he said, "to try 
to preach." But, to use his own language, he 
"made a very unsatisfactory beginning to him- 
self;" nor did he at first give his friends much 
reason to hope that he would soon occupy a 
prominent position in the ministry. He had 
been for many years a close student of books, 
and haM a large amount of classical material, 
and • some biblical knowledge ; but he had not 
had the time to arrange it for use, besides he 
had not recovered from the mental fatigue of 
his protracted application to study. In order to 
preach, something else is needed besides what 
is called a collegiate education. This brother 
Abell possessed to an eminent degree; and to 
the day of his death, it was said by competent 
judges that he could read Greek and Latin as 
fluently as he could English. We are not now 
speaking of what he became as a preacher in 
after years, but of what he was when he com- 



GEO. W. ABELL. 27 

menced. He was often very disheartened at 
his efforts in the pulpit; and had he not had 
the love of the truth so deeply imbedded in 
his heart, and been possessed of so deep a 
sense of his religious responsibilities, he would 
have concluded that he was not designed for 
the ministry. He said on one occasion, when 
he had made what he called a great failure, that 
the question of his being a preacher was in the 
chapter of doubts. On this account, at this time, 
he had much trouble and was frequently in great 
distress of mind. He wanted to preach, but 
feared he could never make a preacher. In this 
state of mind, he sought an interview with R. L. 
Coleman, who gave him much encouragement, 
and removed much of his anxiety. Next, he un- 
bosomed himself to James W. Goss, who gave 
him a history of his own difficulties in his early 
efforts in the pulpit, and seeing that their cases 
were very much alike, he gathered strength, and, 
using his own language, "renewed his determina- 
tion to die in the harness." But not considering 
himself fitted to engage at that time in regularly 
preaching, he applied himself to the study of the 
Scriptures, and commenced preaching in the 
neighborhood of Charlottesville and in the sur- 
rounding counties; but the first extensive trip he 
made as a preacher was with brother Goss and 



28 BIOGRAPHY OF 

wife, through Caroline, King & Queen, King Wil- 
liam and Mathews counties. This trip was of 
great use to him in drawing upon his education. 
Brother Goss, as all who knew him can well 
recollect, was a highly gifted speaker, and when 
well, was full of life and pleasantry; and as bro- 
ther Abell had been in constant contact with his 
quandam brethren, and having so often to enter 
into unpleasant conversations with them upon re- 
ligious subjects, brother Goss used his best efforts 
to make his trip pleasant and profitable, and in 
this he succeeded most admirably. Brother Abell 
was very much pleased with his new brethren,, 
and gained much from the fine discourses of bro- 
ther Goss. Every thing tended to make the trip 
pleasant and agreeable. 

By this trip brother Abell became acquainted 
with many of the brethren in the lower country, 
and had his mind enlightened in regard to the 
moral and religious character of their conversa- 
tion. He had been informed by his quandam 
brethren that the Disciples never conversed upon 
pious and holy subjects, but were always engaged 
in controversy and debate upon contested doc- 
trines and contested interpretations of passages 
of Scripture, — that their "conversation was never 
in heaven," but always in contention and wrang- 
ling. But he found that the Disciples were far 



GEO. W. ABELL. 29 

less addicted to such things than the Baptists, in 
their private and social circles. It was true that 
they were ever ready to advocate and defend the 
faith once delivered to the saints when it was 
necessarf, but in the absence of that necessity 
they delighted to "talk by the way" of the fruits 
of the Spirit, and drink of the fountain of re- 
deeming grace. He returned from this trip 
much refreshed, improved and encouraged in 
body, mind and spirit. 

It will be necessary to state that brother Abell 
passed through many trials from the time he 
united with the Disciples up to the above trip, 
but this trip seemed to be the closing of the an- 
noyances and persecutions from his religious 
enemies. They were now satisfied that his con- 
victions were deeply founded, and that they could 
not move him by their sarcasm, ridicule or pseu- 
do-arguments. Being relieved of these annoy- 
ances he became more cheerful, and looked more 
like one should look possessing his educational 
and social advantages. He continued to preach, 
and gave increased evidences of usefulness and 
future influence. And so great was his change 
in cheerfulness that it gratified his brethren very 
much, and astonished those who formerly seemed 
to take pleasure in making him unhappy. If the 



30 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



departed saints have any talk in the land of un- 
interrupted sunshine about the dark clouds of 
earth, there have been some strange interviews 
between brother Abell and some who passed 
over the river before he did. * 



•GEO. W. ABELL. $t 



CHAPTER IV. 



His visit to Scottsville — John Tyler and J. T. Barclay his companions — 
Tilt with a Baptist preacher. Visit to Nelson county — its good re- 
sults. Visits his parents — their prejudices removed. Courtship and 
marriage. Resides three years in Charlottesville — teaches school and 
preaches occasionally — two children born to him. More affliction — its 
effect upon him. Removed to Orange county and continued to teach — 
death of his little daughter — determines to abandon teaching and de- 
vote his whole time to preaching — accepts the appointment of " general 
evangelist." 

IN 1844, brother Abell and the evangelist em- 
ployed by the churches held a meeting in 
Scottsville for four or five days, and shared the 
hospitality of brother John Tyler, who has since 
passed over the river and joined the sacred host 
in the better land. He was then one of the 
elders of the church. Brother Barclay lived at 
that time in the same town, with whom they had 
much delightful conversation concerning the 
things of the kingdom — present and future, and 
the things concerning the power of the Christ, 
here and hereafter. The acquaintance of the 
Baptist minister in charge was also made; he was 
a very gentlemanly and christianly companion 



32 BIOGRAPHY OF ' 

during their stay. A little friendly religious tilt 
took place between him and brother Abell one 
morning in brother Tyler's parlor, that developed 
very plainly brother AbelFs ability to use his 
knowledge of Greek with power whenever it was 
necessary. The conversation continued for some 
time, and became very warm but most friendly,' 
until they differed as to a Greek criticism, and 
both agreed to leave it to the evangelist, who had 
been a silent listener. But the idea of leaving a 
Greek criticism to the evangelist, by two men so 
far his superiors in scholarship, was so ludicrous 
that the evangelist burst into a loud laugh, arose 
from his seat and walked up to them, and covered 
his want of classical ability to decide the ques- 
tion, by playfully saying: "Away with your index 
scholarship ; 

"Which turns no student pale, 
Yet holds the eel of science by the tail." 

The manner in which this was done created 
laughter, and turned the tide of conversation 
upon the "consolations of God's ever present 
grace." 

From Scottsville they started for Nelson county, 
and on the Friday before the first Lord's day in 
May they reached sister Mary Ann Nalley's, and 
found her an excellent house-keeper, assisted by 



GEO. W. ABELL. 33 

two very interesting grown daughters, and a third 
a beautiful child. They were most hospitably 
entertained, and before they left it was very plain 
that brother Abell had a most tender affection for 
one of the young ladies. He left with some re- 
luctance, and while on the road he expressed 
such solicitude for the young ladies that it caused 
Lis fellow-traveler to make a diagnosis of the 
state of his heart ; but the case was found to 
be beyond remedy. They reached brother Fitz- 
patrick's Saturday evening. Here they met with 
a very interesting little girl, then eleven years 
of age, who was baptized by brother Abell the 
December following, and on the 25th August, 
J 857, was married by brother Walthall to brother 
L. A. Cutler, and is to him a helpmeet indeed. 

Brother Abell on Lord's day morning ex- 
pressed the wish that the Misses Nalley might 
be at- church, and he realized his wish, for they 
were both present, and when the invitation was 
given they walked up and confessed their faith in 
Jesus the Christ, and brother Abell baptized them 
on the Monday following. One of his difficulties 
was now out of the way, for he had asked the 
question : How would it look for a preacher to 
be in love with a lady out of the church? The 
meeting was continued for several additional 

days. They returned in company with the ladies 
3 



34 BIOGRAPHY OF 

to sister Nalley's. Next morning they left for 
Charlottesville, but en route remained one night 
and a day with brother AbelFs father. When 
brother Abell first united with the Disciples, his 
father -was very much displeased, and spoke very 
freely his feelings in regard to the movement, 
but on the occasion of this visit his mind and 
feelings had undergone a very great and favor ; 
able change. He was venerable in years, strong 
in mind, and a deeply pious man of God. His 
mother we found to be just the kind of woman 
to be the wife of such a man, and the mother of 
such a boy as George W. Abell. It grieved her 
very much for her son to leave the Baptists, and 
join what sectarian bitterness on the one hand, 
and ignorance on the other, called the "Campbel- 
lites!" Nor do we wonder that so good a man 
and woman were grieved at the action of their 
loved son, when we consider how the leaders 
among the Baptists misrepresented the doctrines 
of the Disciples. It was represented that the 
Disciples rejected the Bible, did not believe in 
prayer, in the Holy Spirit, in repentance, nor in 
the grace of God. But father and mother Abell 
learned long before their departure for the better 
land that all these representations were false, and 
became reconciled to the action of their son. 
Brother Abell returned in a few days to sister 



GEO. W. ABELL. 35 

Nalley's, and in process of time there appeared 
in the papers the following: 

Married, in Nelson county, on the nth June, 1845, at tne res i* 
dence of Dennis Nalley, Esq., by Elder John S. Abell, Elder George 
W. Abell and Miss Mary Ann Nalley. 

Brother Abell was then twenty-seven, and his 
young wife nineteen years old. They lived in 
Charlottesville the three succeeding years of 
their marriage, where were born to them two 
children; the first, John Dennis, was born August 
1 st, 1846,. and the second, Lydia Ann, was born 
July 13th, 1848. He taught a classical school 
during his stay in Charlottesville, but its duties 
hung heavily upon his hands. Brother Abell had 
another severe attack of sickness, and before he 
recovered sister Abell seemed to contract the 
same disease — typhoid fever, which confined them 
to the house for three months. 

Brother Abell believed with all his heart in the 
special providence of God, and that sickness and 
its kindred afflictions were lessons, reproofs and 
warnings from God to his children ; and that af- 
flictions were evidences of the love God had for 
us; that all Christians come out of afflictions re- 
alizing in some way the chastening hand of God. 
Nor do we believe he was in error in his convic- 
tions. In his first sickness, of which we have 
spoken in these pages, he realized the correcting 



36 BIOGRAPHY OF 

hand of God, and in this also he was fully per- 
suaded that God asked him the question: "What 
dost thou here, Elijah?" He had promised the 
Lord to devote his life to the ministry of his 
Word. This promise the Lord accepted, and it 
was recorded upon the book of God's remem- 
brance. But brother Abell had promised his 
loved and loving wife that he would remain at 
home during the week, and go off only on Lord's 
days to preach. But he did not consider that the 
agreement he entered into with the Lord could 
be fulfilled by any such arrangement; conse- 
quently he was still unhappy. And as the Lord 
(as he believed) had chosen him for the work of 
the ministry, and intended him for constant work, 
and he having failed to carry out the divine de- 
signs, He brought to bear His correcting rod. 
This is just the way brother Abell regarded his 
last sickness. He thought and prayed much 
upon the subject, and at last asked his wife to 
release him from the promise he had made to 
her, not to enter the field as a general evan- 
gelist. He stated his reasons and argued the 
question in all the earnestness of his convic- 
tions. She saw that his happiness depended 
upon her decision, and she released him, but 
knew full well that in doing so she was taking 
upon herself responsibilities far beyond her 



GEO. W. ABELL. 1)7 

' ability* to bear. He considered this his duty 
as a covenanted minister of God, and being" 
exceedingly conscientious, he was determined 
to carry out his convictions to the fullest ex- 
tent. This will, therefore, explain to that part 
of the brotherhood who have been too ready to 
censure brother Abell for his ministerial course 
of life, in leaving his wife and children so often 
and so long, in order to preach to dying men and 
women. He considered that he was in covenant 
with God, and that he owed him what he owed 
no human being upon earth. Nor could he be 
happy when he was out of what he considered 
his covenanted duty. He discontinued his school 
and, in September 1848, moved his family to 
Barboursville, Orange county, Virginia, where 
he taught school until February 1850. During 
this time he continued to preach as hereto- 
fore, not however to his satisfaction. He here 
lost his little daughter Lydia Ann,* and that 
fully determined him to enter the field as a 
general evangelist, assuming that the Lord had 
this third time called him. In a letter from 
him on this subject, he says: "And desiring to 
give my whole time to the proclamation of 



*She died on the 27th of December, 1848, of brain fever, the same 
day of the month her father died, twenty-six years after. 



38 BIOGRAPHY OF 

the Word, though a stranger to the mass of ' 
the brotherhood in Virginia, yet, through the in- 
fluence of my especial friends, Dr. John C. 
Hughes, of Charlottesville, and Elders R. L. 
Coleman and James W. Goss, I secured the ap- 
pointment of State Evangelist at the annual ses- 
sion of the Disciples held in Richmond in the 
Fall of 1849, an d commenced my labors in Feb- 
ruary 1850." 



GEO. W. ABELL. 39 



CHAPTER V. 



^Brother Abell's desire to do good — devoid of ambition — his sacrifice of 
home comforts — the trials and responsibilities of his wife. Letters of 
Alexander Fitzpatrick, concerning brother Abell's previous labors. 
Letters from brother Abell announcing the death of his child, and the 
success of his evangelizing efforts. 

BROTHER ABELL had now secured the wish 
of his ministerial life. He was not prompt- 
ed by the hope to excel others. His desire was 
to do good, to save sinners, to build up the 
churches of God, and honor the name of Jesus 
the Christ. He was not actuated by ambitious 
motives, and we will remark in this connection, 
that the man who enters the ministry from any 
such motive, is unfit for such a high and holy 
relation to the church. Ambition in a preacher 
is an^Apollyon in the ministry. It strives for the 
mastery. It will adopt plans and tricks to lessen 
the reputation of others; it will boast much of its 
own efforts in having large congregations, preach- 
ing fine sermons, having many additions to the 
church under its charge, of having many calls to 
preach, and of being praised for its education, 



40 BIOGRAPHY OF 

fine voice and appearance in the pulpit. Such 
preachers are to Satan, as a distinguished writer 
says, "what a covey of partridges are to a sports- 
man." Ambition destroys the minister, by a 
desire to become distinguished upon the ruins of 
its betters. And when a preacher begins to speak 
lightly of great and good men who have passed 
through the fires of trials and persecutions for 
the advocacy and defense of the truth of God, he 
shows a want of sense andean egotism which will 
ultimately be his own ruin. If a preacher wishes 
others to esteem him, it is unwise to try to make 
them disgusted with others to gain the object. 
One of the greatest, if not the greatest virtue 
which perpetuates the love of the truth in any 
one's heart is the fact that we have as a living 
monument in our memories the lives of those 
who have labored before us, and are still among 
us working for God and for man. With some 
young men in the ministry it is their aim to 
reach distinction — to make a name for them- 
selves — to be called great, and to have thou- 
sands to heap eulogies upon their efforts, and 
to be flattered, but such seldom realize their 
fond hopes. They talk so much about them- 
selves, their preaching, and the numerous calls 
they receive, that in lapse of time they find 
themselves overlooked, and then they come 



GEO. W. ABELL. 41 

to the conclusion that the people are not capa- 
ble of appreciating their talents, and frequently 
they become morose and retire into obscurity. 
Others again, thus afflicted, learn by some severe 
lessons that to be modest and faithful, to talk 
less of themselves, and speak truly of the 
worth of dying souls, are traits which lead to 
usefulness and influence. With pity have we 
looked upon some young men in the pulpit, 
young men with fine flow of language, and suffi- 
cient education to become useful in the ministry, 
but such was their inordinate love of self, and 
their desire to make a display, that their effort 
reminded the listener of the fantastic efforts of 
the giddy child leaping at stars, while its feet 
slashed in mud at every leap. Ego, is a dan- 
gerous rock for young men when they launch 
their ministerial boat upon sacred waters. 

But what kind of man, Christian and minister 
was the subject of this* sketch? Nothing of any 
such unholy spirit actuated brother Abell. He 
wished the world converted to God, and regarded 
himself as one of the humble instruments in His* 
hands to accomplish the object. Grand motives, 
as high as heaven, and fearful motives, as deep as 
hell, were the main-springs of his consecration to 
the ministry. The love of saving souls was the 
crystal fount whence he drew all his inspirations^ 



42 BIOGRAPHY OF 

motives, encouragements and powers; and that 
love was embedded in his heart by the finger of 
God, while his weary soul was strengthened by 
the Holy Spirit. 

He entered this, the first year of his regular 
evangelical labors, with fear, hope, and an ever 
present trust in the Lord in whom he believed. 
The first time he left home his heart was moved 
with the most tender emotions in behalf of his 
loving wife and his loved little ones. But his 
path was plainly before him, and his covenanted 
duty called him from the sweets of home to the 
fields already white for the harvest. But he sup- 
pressed his emotions, wiped away the tears, and 
embraced his fond wife, kissed his little ones, and 
hastened to his far distant field of labor, while 
that wife — that preacher's wife — sought a hiding 
place where her pent up feelings burst forth in a 
flood of tears, and her heart found relief in com- 
munion with her God and the God of her hus- 
band. Who had made the greater sacrifice, he 
who was to be hereafter a stranger at home, or 
she who had assumed responsibilities far beyond 
her strength? Eternity alone can decide the 
question. 

But before we commence a further history of 
his labors as State Evangelist, we will give the 
reader some little insight into his labors from the 



GEO. W. ABELL. 43 

time he commenced preaching the gospel of 
Christ as delivered to the Apostles. He had 
preached with great success during the vaca- 
tions of his schools, and had greatly endeared 
liimself to the brotherhood among whom he had 
labored. In the Spring of 1844 he preached with 
the blessings of the Lord in the neighborhood 
of Waynesboro', and in Staunton and in Scotts- 
ville. The following letters will show how his 
labors were appreciated in Nelson county: 

Nelson, December 24, 1844. 

Dear Brother Goss : 

I take my pen, just at the close of one of the most 
interesting meetings, to me, I ever had the pleasure of attending. It was 
our good fortune to have a visit from our beloved brother Abell on Satur- 
day night last, when he preached for us at a school-house lately erected 
by myself, for the convenience of educating my children'. Owing to the 
prejudice of our friends, the Baptists, who are numerous in our neighbor- 
hood, and the inclemency of the weather, we had a small, but attentive, 
congregation. The next da)*, we held a meeting ten miles north-west of 
my house, whence we were welcomed to occupy Mr. Ryland Rhodes' 
school-house. Mr. Rhodes is a friendly alien, and fully subscribes in 
theory to the doctrine of Paul, "prove all things; hold fast that which is 
good." May the good Lord, by the influence of his Spirit, operating 
through his word, bring our friend Rhodes very speedily to realize the 
truth of Paul's admonition in a religious point of view, by experiencing 
its practical results. At this meeting we had a small, intelligent and at- 
tentive congregation. That neighborhood, like ours, abounds with Bap- 
tists, several of the most intelligent of whom were in attendance. We 
trust the seeds of union have been sown by this meeting in that neighbor- 
hood. Sunday night we held a meeting at brother Parsons' — a small but 
attentive congregation turned out there, when brother Abell again, in a 
most lucid manner, unfolded the Scriptures of eternal truth, so that it was 



44 * BIOGRAPHY OF 

the power of God to the salvation of six poor sinners, one of them an in- 
teresting young Methodist lady, and three of them my oldest children — 
a son about eighteen years of age, and two daughters, one fourteen and 
the other eleven. Brother Goss, this is certainly the happiest period of 
our lives. The Lord has blessed us with five (to us) very interesting chil- 
dren, all of which, that are of sufficient age to understand the will of God, 
have thus given earnest of their determination to obey it. " Bring up 
your children in the way they should go, and when they are old they will 
not depart from it." On Monday, at eleven o'clock, we held a meeting 
again at our school-house, when brother Abell preached to a mixed con- 
gregation of our brethren, many of our Baptist brethren who are least, 
prejudiced against us, and friendly aliens, when one was restored, and we 
have reason to believe that much prejudice was removed from the minds 
of some of our intelligent Baptist brethren. At four o'clock those who con- 
fessed the Lord on the preceding day were immersed. At night we con- 
tinued the meeting at my house, when brother Abell, animated by the 
success that crowned his labors, like a brave soldier, as he is, again un- 
sheathed the sword of the Spirit, and so effectually wielded it that the 
strongholds of Satan were broken down in the hearts of two of his most 
noted soldiers, and they established in the most holy faith of Prince Mes- 
siah. This day, at eleven o'clock, brother Abell preached again at our 
school-house, when, from indispensable business, it was out of my power 
to attend. I understand his sermon was entirely equal to any that he had 
preached during our meeting, and was not without its effect; for I under- 
stand there were some of the interesting sons and daughters of our Bap- 
tist friends who were much disposed to join us; but they were deterred 
by a knowledge on their part of the opposition of their parents. May 
our good Lord incline the hearts of those parents to let their children 
judge for themselves. At four o'clock this evening those two who made 
the good confession last night were baptized; and, on account of fatigue 
and exhaustion on the part of brother Abell, we deemed it prudent to 
close our meetmg, though we had fine prospects for other additions. 

Brother Goss, do come over into Macedonia and help us. Our next 
meeting will commence at our school-house, the Saturday night before the 
second Lord's day in next month. 

I am, dear brother, yours in the bonds of love, 

Alex. Fitzpatrick. 



GEO. W. ABELL. 45 

Nelson County, January 13, 1845. 

J) ear Brother Goss ; 

We have this night closed another very interesting 
meeting, conducted by our beloved brother Abell at our school-house. 
The Lord has blessed his labors to the salvation of eleven poor sinners at 
this meeting, which commenced last Saturday night, and during which he 
preached four most powerful and interesting sermons. I assure you, 
brother Goss, that brother Abell, from his labors with us, promises to 
make one of the most useful men in our church: he combines good 
talents with becoming zeal, moderation and modesty, with a large share of 
biblical knowledge. Thus panoplied for the holy war, he wields the 
sword of the Spirit to the breaking down of the strongholds of Satan and 
the establishment of Messiah's kingdom on the ruins thereof. Those who 
have come out on the side of the Lord at this meeting are one amiable 
Methodist lady and ten aliens. I am gratified to be able to say that some 
of the Baptist parents who opposed their children's joining at our last 
meeting have waived their objections, and a very interesting son of Baptist 
parents came out and made the good confession : and it is a source of 
great pleasure to me to be able to inform our brethren through your paper 
that several of our Baptist friends were very active aids at our meeting. 

I am, brother Goss, yours in the bonds of love, 

Alex. Fitzpatrick. 

Nelson County, March 10, 1845. 
Dear Brother Goss: 

We have had another very interesting meeting, con- 
ducted by brother Abell, during which he preached three very interesting 
sermons. At this meeting we had four additions, two from the world and 
two from the Baptists, with encouraging prospects for others. 

Brother Goss, let me entreat you to do your best to get brother Camp- 
bell to come to Nelson Court-house during his sojourn in Eastern Vir- 
ginia, and come with him yourself. You promised to come among us last 
Summer. Can you not visit us this Spring and Summer? Or is it possi- 
ble that the church at Charlottesville requires you constantly among them 
to warn them of their duty ? Let me suggest to you to put them on the 
starvation system ; and do you visit neighboring churches, and when they 



46 BIOGRAPHY OF 

lack and become hungry for spiritual instruction, they will receive it and 
impart it to aliens more readily. 

I am, dear brother, yours in the hope of eternal life, 

Alex. Fitzpatrick. 

» 

Here follows the announcement of the death 
of his little daughter, which he regarded as a. 
chastening rod in the hand of God, and which 
finally caused him to devote his whole time to 
the ministry : 

Barboursville, December 27, 1848. 

Dear Brother Coleman* 

It has pleased our Heavenly Father to take from 
us our poor little infant Lydia Ann. She breathed her last this morn- 
ing about seven o'clock. She had been sick about ten days with dropsy 
of the brain — so pronounced by her physician from the symptoms. 

We feel thankful that we are submissive under the stroke. We feel as 
though we had a new tie to bind us to the throne of God; that another 
cord had been cut which bound us to this poor, perishing world. What a 
commentary upon the sad effects of sin ! ■ The monster invades the 
family ; it tears from the breast of the weeping mother the helpless, inno- 
cent babe ; carries it from its parents' abode, and places it in the cold 
earth. But it also suggests to us a bright side of the' picture. It reminds 
us of our Saviour's love and glorious achievements. " The seed of the 
woman shall bruise thl serpent's head." Through the merits of our 
blessed Redeemer, our babe will be brought forth from the. dust of the 
earth, clothed with immortal vigor. 

Your brother in Christ, 

G. W. Abell. 

In a letter to brother Coleman, of June ist,. 
1849, ne says: 

I immersed a sister of our brother Dr. Newman last Saturday ; also 



GEO. W. ABELL. 47 

had one confession at my last meeting at Stanardsville ; one at Philippi ; 
many concerned. 

I expect to preach, the Lord permitting, the second Sunday in July at 
the Narrow Passage, Shenandoah; the third, at Walnut Spring. The 
brethren in the neighborhood of Walnut Spring may have an appoint- 
ment, at any place they think proper, for the fourth Sunday. And those 
in the neighborhood of the Narrow Passage for the fifth. The first Sun- 
day in August I expect to be at Liberty, Page county. 

G. W. Abell. 

Barboursville, June 14, 1849. 
Dear Brother Colepian: 

Yesterday our meeting closed at Philippi. Our 
beloved brethren Goss and Jackson were with us, and preached the word 
with great earnestness and effect.' It was a glorious time. Eight pre- 
cious souls, valuable accessions, submitted to our blessed Redeemer: the 
brethren were much encouraged and edified, and a great deal of preju- 
dice removed from the mind of the community. May the Lord continue 
that good work which he has begun. 

The most of the persons added were of the families of Disciples, with 
whom you are acquainted. You will rejoice with us in learning that 
among them was our friend and acquaintance Mr. E. Goss, brother of our 
talented and devoted brother James W. Goss. 

May the Lord bless your labors in his cause. 

G. W. Abell. 

Dear Brother Coleman : 

I have just returned from my appointments in 
the Valley. Brother Dillard accompanied and assisted me in all the 
meetings. We preached at Narrow Passage, Zion,* and Walnut Springs, 
Shenandoah, at which places there are congregations of Disciples; also at 
Liberty, Page county, where there is a congregation of Christians, zeal- 
ously devoted to the old gospel as it commenced to be proclaimed in Jesus 
alone. We likewise preached some in the villages of New Market, Edin- 



* At this meeting brother Abell preached a discourse which gave such 
general satisfaction that he was requested to have it published in the 
Christian Intelligencer. 



48 BIOGRAPHY OF 

burgh, Woodstock, Strausburg and Luray. The blessings of the Lord 
attended our poor, imperfect labors : about one hundred and seven pre- 
cious souls were added to the good cause : eighty-nine by confession and 
baptism; some reclaimed; some united who had been previously bap- 
tized — making the number about as stated above. At Fair View, in the 
vicinity of Woodstock, where there was no congregation, thirty-odd were 
baptized, many of them the first people of the community, affording ma- 
terials for an excellent church. A good deal of our preaching was devoted 
to the instruction and admonition of the brethren ; and we trust that the 
fruits of the good seed will be witnessed for many days. To our Master 
be all the praise ! To his gospel all the power ! May a sense of his bless- 
ing humble us in his presence ! 

We made the acquaintance of many very excellent and devoted breth- 
ren and sisters. May the Lord reward them for their kindness to us. 

Your brother in the glorious hope of a blissful immortality, 

G. W. Abell. 






GEO. W. ABELL. 49 



CHAPTER VI. 



Brother Abell commences his labors as general evangelist. Letters re- 
porting his success in i85o-'52. His success raised the ire of a Meth- 
odist minister, who challenges the immersionists. J. A. Cowgill's de- 
fence of "the truth." The modesty of brethren Abell and Hunter 
prevents them from reporting their labors. Brothers Jones a&id Cow- 
gill report. Letter from G. W. Abell to R. L. Coleman. 

WE now enter upon that part of brother 
Abell's life which has given him a name 
that will long be remembered by the Disciples of 
Virginia. He commenced his labors as State 
Evangelist on the ist of February, 1850. And 
from that day to the day of his death he was 
wholly devoted to his high and holy calling. 
Here follows an account of his first tour: 

Pilgrim's Rest, April 6, 1850. 
Dear Brother Coleman: 

I have just returned from my appointments in 
the lower country. In addition to your own aid, I had that of brethren 
Bagby, Henley, DuVal, Walthall and Hunter. We held meetings at 
Louisa Court-house, Emmaus, Jerusalem, Olive Branch, Grafton, Ephe- 
sus and Smyrna. 

We had excellent meetings at most of these points. There were sixty 
precious souls added to our Master's cause, thirteen at Olive Branch — a 
good portion of them connected with brother McKenney's school — four- 

4 



50 BIOGRAPHY OF 

teen in York, seven in Matthews, twenty-four at Smyrna, and two baptized 
on our return from the Smyrna meeting at brother Dew's, near Horeb — 
his daughter Isabella and Mrs. Sarah Dew — making in all sixty. May 
the Lord preserve them unblamable until his appearing and his kingdom. 
In addition to the co-operation of the abovenamed preaching brethren, 
we likewise had the efficient aid of very many intelligent, devoted, warm- 
hearted brethren and sisters connected with the congregations mentioned 
above. May the Lord abundantly bless them, in time and eternity, for 
their prayers, tender sympathies and great liberality towards us. 

O blessed day ! O glorious hope ! 
My soul rejoices at the thought, 
"When in that holy, happy land, 
We'll take no more the parting hand. 

The Lord sustain you in common with all those engaged in the glorious 
work of the salvation of a lost and ruined world. 

Your brother in the Lord, 

G. W. Abell. 

We have been unable to get hold of any other 
report from brother Abell concerning his evan- 
gelical labors for 1850, but have learned that his 
efforts were graciously blessed of the Lord in the 
conversion of a large number of souls, in addi- 
tion to the above. He extended his preaching 
tour to the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge, and 
from thence to the western borders of the State. 
We have been able to gather the following items 
for 1851: 

" We expect, the Lord permitting, to hold the following protracted 
meetings : 

At Bowling Green, in company with brother Bagby, second Lord's day 
in February. Philippi, Orange county, third. Fount Hill, fourth. The 
first half of the month we expect to spend with the congregations in Han- 
over. We cordially invite as many ministering brethren to be with us as 



g£o. w. abell. 51 



can attend. Toward the last of March we expect to go to brother Hu- 
ghart's field and labor several weeks with him, upon the condition that he 
is to preach the same length of time with us, among the congregations 
sustaining the general evangelists, or in destitute portions. 

G. W. Abell. 

Brethren Henley, Abell and Hunter held a meeting at Independence, 
in Hanover, of several days' continuance, embracing the second Lord's 
day in March, at which there were eight confessions. 

Dear Brother Coleman: 

From our meetings in Hanover (which I observe 
you noticed in the last paper) we proceeded to our appointment at Corinth, 
Powhatan. Although the weather was unfavorable, and the congregations 
consequently small, we nevertheless had a very interesting, "refreshing 
season from the presence of the Lord." The Disciples were much en- 
couraged; and seven aliens (of the best material in the neighborhood) 
became " fellow- citizens with the saints, and of the household of God." 

From Corinth we went to our appointment at Booker's, Cumberland. 
The power of the cross was here exerted in the conversion of eight in- 
telligent, interesting persons in the youth and prime of life. We hope 
brother Hughart and other preaching brethren will give all the attention 
they can to this point. We also had two more of our Methodist friends to 
unite with us on last Lord's day, in the neighborhood of Stanardsville, 
Greene county — additional testimony of the victory gained by Methodism 
over Christianity in the debate recently held in that quarter. These ad- 
ditions, with those in Hanover, make twenty-six since my last communi- 
cation. To the Lord, and to his word, "which liveth and abideth 
forever," be all the praise, ^.men! 

We' are highly gratified in being able to state that we find many of 
our Baptist brethren smitten with the love of truth, and disposed to co- 
operate with us in the great work of salvation. While some are wrapped 
up in the garments of sectarianism ; yet there are many who are disposed 
to break the shackles of human traditions, and meet us " upon the founda- 
tion of prophets and apostles, Jesus, Christ himself being the chief corner 
stone." May the time speedily come when the -prayer of the Great Re- 
deemer shall be answered, and when all who love him shall " keep the 
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," acknowledging the one Lord, 



52 BIOGRAPHY OF 

believing the one faith, and submitting to the one baptism. The richest 

blessings of Heaven be upon you, in common with all the Israel of God. 

Your brother in the bonds of the gospel, 

G. W. Abell. 

Pittsylvania C. H., Va., August 23, 185 1. 
Brother Coleman: 

Brethren Abell and Campbell have just closed one of 
the most interesting meetings we have ever had at this place. The church 
has been much revived, much prejudice removed from the minds of the 
people — having had from them the best hearing ever obtained for our 
brethren. 

Nearly twelve months had intervened since we had any preaching 
here. On Saturday, the 9th of this month, our meeting commenced, since 
which time there have been seventeen additions, and two others made the 
confession, but were prevented from being baptized in consequence of the 
opposition of their father. We yet have hopes even of him. 

At the baptizing on last Lord's day evening there was the largest assem- 
blage I have ever witnessed here on a similar occasion ; perfect order and 
solemnity prevailed. 

This is brother Abell' s first visit to us ; our prayer is that it may not be 
the last. We only want the services of brother Abell, or some other such 
man, to overcome the prejudice in this and the surrounding community. 

My prayer to the Lord of the harvest is that he may send laborers into 
this portion of his field, now so destitute. 

Your brother in Christ, 

John W. Jones, Elder. 

In addition to the above, brother Abell reaped 
the results of his labors in Louisa, Hanover, 
Cumberland, Powhatan, Fluvanna, Nelson, Henry 
and the adjoining counties, with the blessings of 
the Lord. The following will give some idea 
of the interest enlisted in behalf of the ancient 
order of divine things : 



GEO. W. ABELL. 53 

Sandy Ridge, Hampshire Co., Va., 

January i, 1852. 
Brother Coleman: 

Dear Sir, — I very seldom intrude upon the time of an 
editor or the patience of the public, yet I hope a short communication will 
not prove offensive to the one nor irksome to the other. 

Brethren G. W. Abell and Abraham Campbell held a series of meetings 
at this place the latter part of October and the early part of November, 
during which time there were twenty-two additions by baptism. Two of 
these were from the Methodist Episcopal church. This, as is common in 
such cases, caused considerable alarm. A discourse was preached near 
this place by the Rev. Mr. B***e, in which there was a great deal of mis- 
representation of the doctrine which we preached. As an elder of the 
church at this place, I thought it my duty to correct such misrepresenta- 
tions; and I accordingly wrote the reverend gentleman a private epistle, 
correcting those misrepresentations which he had given out to the public, 
and also admonishing him of what I humbly thought it was his duty to 
attend to. 

Two weeks after the abovementioned discourse, and at the same place, 
the Rev. Mr. W****n delivered a discourse directed against the action of 
baptism as believed in by the brotherhood. In this discourse the reverend 
gentleman threw out the challenge that he could meet any objections 
which immersionists could produce. This I felt myself under obligations 
to notice. I accordingly wrote him an epistle, defending the doctrine of 
the Holy Scriptures as well as I could. 

Now as neither of these communications have elicited either an oral or 
written reply, I, after consulting with the brethren, and agreeably to their 
advice, have determined to send on copies of these letters for publication. 

These letters were written without that attention and study which the 
subject demanded. But I think there is nothing in them which is calcu- 
lated to mislead the ignorant. I have made a tolerably free use of the 
composition of one of our elder brothers ; but I hope this will give no 
fffence. I could have used my own composition; but why use my own 
when I had better at hand ? 

I give you these letters, signed by my own name, if you think them 
worthy of a place in the columns of the Christian Intelligencer, give 
them an insertion if you please, if not, I shall acquiesce in the decision 
of your better judgment. 



54 BIOGRAPHY OF 

In these letters I have assumed a bold position, but I am conscious that 
I stand upon the platform of truth, and shall, the Lord being my helper, 
boldly defend it to the utmost of my limited ability. 

Your brother in the Lord, 

James A. Cowgill. 



To Rev. Mr. B- 



Sandy Ridge, Hampshire Co., Va., 
December 2, 1851. 



" Let him that is taught in the Word, communi- 
cate unto him that teacheth in all good things." Gal. vi. 6. 

Dear Sir, — I attended at the meeting in the Methodist church on Sandy 
Ridge last Lord's day, and upon which occasion you delivered a discourse 
aimed at the Christian church at this, place, I presume, and in, which dis- 
course there was no little misrepresentation of the doctrine which we 
preach, probably for want of correct information on your part. I deem it 
a duty which I owe to myself, and to those with whom I stand connected, 
to give you correct information upon this subject. 

I am truly sorry that you acted so precipitately in this matter. When a 
criminal is arraigned before a court of judicature, it is customary at least 
to hear the pro and con in the case. Now common, politeness dictates 
that we should be treated with as much decorum as the candidate for the 
penitentiary or the gallows. Notwithstanding, it seems that you think 
differently. Had you called on me or any of the brotherhood at Sandy 
Ridge, you could easily have satisfied yourself that the calumniator had 
been at work. 

You will not think hard of me I presume for criticising your discourse 
pretty closely, and for telling yo;i with the greatest candor wherein we 
differ. Your text upon that occasion was, " And from the days of John 
the Baptist, until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the 
violent take it by force." You said in substance, if I understood you 
right, that the kingdom of heaven did not begin with John the Baptist, 
but with Christ. The inference I drew from your remarks was this, that 
as soon as Christ began his public ministry the Jewish dispensation be- 
came extinct, and the new or Christian was fully established. 

Your theory is very beautiful in the eyes of some, but to me it seems 
defective in one particular at least, viz : in not being true. If I under- 
stand the teachings of the Bible upon this subject, John the Baptist came 



GEO. W. ABELL. 55 

to prepare the way before the Lord, to make ready a people prepared for 
the Lord. John it seems introduced the Lord to his people in that much 
despised institution of baptism. 

It was the business of Christ while on earth to set up a kingdom, a new 
dispensation, or a new order of things. This work he was engaged in 
during his ministration. It was not accomplished instantaneously. It 
was not, and could not be fully consummated until his death ; or, in other 
words, this* dispensation could be of no force till Christ died ; for, says the 
Apostle, Heb. ix., 16th and 17th verses: "For where a testament is, there 
must also of necessity be the death of the testator ; for a testament is of 
force after men are dead, otherwise it is of no strength at all while the 
testator liveth." We are all agreed, I presume, that the Christian dispen- 
sation, the kingdom of heaven, and the New Testament or will of Christ, 
are kindred expressions.* 

Again : a kingdom is not perfect without a head. There must be a 
coronation of a prince. Christ is this prince. The query very naturally 
arises, when was Christ coronated? Common sense answers, not till he 
had conquered. And the Bible says : " To him that overcometh will I 
grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set 
down with my Father in his throne." Rev. iii. 21. 

So you will perceive that the kingdom of heaven, or new dispensation, 
could not be consummated till Christ died and arose from the dead. This 
point is now established, if you are satisfied with the testimony of two 
credible witnesses. 

My next object will be to prove that the Jewish dispensation did not be- 
come extinct when Christ came. It began to wax old. It did not, how- 
ever, become extinct till the law was fulfilled. The query, then, will be, 
when was it fulfilled? Christ was the end of the law. All the Jewish 
sacrifices were types of the great sacrifice, viz : Christ. Now how could 
the law, or old dispensation, become extinct until the last sacrifice of that 
dispensation should be offered? This dispensation never became extinct 
till Christ expired on the cross, when he cried out "It is finished." But to 
the law and the testimony. Every man at all familiar with New Testa- 
ment history knows that Christ was a strict observer of the law given by 
Moses, and that he taught others to observe it. Upon one occasion, when 
he healed a man, he directed him to go and show himself to the priest, 
and to offer for his cleansing the things which the law required. 

I think the two points under consideration are sufficiently established, 



56 BIOGRAPHY OF 

viz : that the Jewish dispensation died with Christ on the cross ; and that 
the new was not set up fully till after Christ was coronated, which must 
have been subsequent to his resurrection, or his conquest over the grave 
and HADES. The foregoing are but a mere fraction of the arguments that 
could be adduced. 

My next object shall be to show when this kingdom became accessible, 
or, in other words, when the new dispensation did begin. Christ says to 
Peter (Matt. xvi. '12) : " I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of 
heaven," &c. You perceive that the kingdom was not yet unlocked, or 
had not become accessible. The query will be, when did he (Peter) un- 
lock it ? Nearly, if not all, Protestants agree that he used one of these 
keys on the day of Pentecost, and the other at the house of Cornelius. 

We shall next notice what are the conditions of entrance into this king- 
dom. Christ said unto Peter, in the verse alluded to, " Whatsoever thou 
shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven : and whatsoever thou shalt 
loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Peter had the power not only 
to unlock the kingdom, but to impose the conditions of entrance. There 
is a prophecy or two which point this way. See Isaiah iii. 3 : " Out of 
Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." 
See Micah iv, 2 : " The law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the 
Lord from Jerusalem." See Luke xxiv. 46, 47: "Thus it is written, and 
thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day : 
and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name 
among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." You perceive then that Je- 
rusalem was the beginning point. 

Now, whatever Peter bound upon the candidates for entrance into this 
kingdom was to be ratified in heaven, or, in Scripture language, was to be 
bound in heaven. The query will arise, what did he bind upon the Jews 
on the day of Pentecost ? It seems that Peter upon that occasion preached 
a powerful discourse, and the result of it was, the Jews, to the number of 
three thousand, became convinced that Jesus was the Christ. They be- 
lieved that what Peter preached was true. Here was faith, and saving 
faith too. (Permit me to be a little orthodox.) It was this faith which 
induced them to cry out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" This 
was their prayer, and this is the prayer of every penitent sinner, though 
they do not in every case receive the same answer that these Jews did. 
Peter, in answer to the above question, unlocks the kingdom, and in. 
troduces these three thousand on the same day. Now mark what he im- 



GEO. W. ABELL. 57 

poses or binds on the believing Jews, and remember this was the law 
which was to go forth from Zion, and the word which was to be promul- 
gated from Jerusalem. Hear it : " Then Peter said unto them, Repent, 
and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the re- 
mission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." See 
Acts ii. 38. Whenever any one tells you that we do not believe in the 
Holy Ghost, be so kind as to tell such that he is misrepresenting us. 

The conditions which you laid down in your discourse differed some- 
what from Peter's to the Jews. Yours was, " Repent and believe." I 
hope, sir, you will not think hard of us for preferring Peter's plan to 
yours. In perfect harmony with Peter is Christ to Nicodemus. I am 
sorry that you quoted so little of that conversation. You quoted that part 
which says, " Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of 
God." But unfortunately you stopped short and did not quote that part 
which explains how this new birth was effected, or what are the elements 
or agents thereof. Common observation teaches us that it is necessary 
that there be two causes in order to birth, viz : a begetting and a produ- 
cing cause. " Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he can- 
not enter into the kingdom of God." One remark as I pass along: the 
man must be put into the water; yes, buried in it, hefore he can be born 
therefrom. Don't accuse us of cutting off all unbaptized persons from the 
kingdom of God; we go no farther than the Lawgiver. It will not do for 
a Methodist minister to say that water, in the above quoted passage, does 
not mean baptism, or he will fly in the face of his discipline. 

You accused us of saying that it is wrong for a sinner to pray. This 
we have not said. But I will tell you what we do believe. We believe 
that prayer is not a scriptural condition of pardon or of entrance into the 
kingdom of God. Our reason for not believing that prayer is a condition 
of pardon is simply want of evidence. You quote Paul's conversion as 
a support to the theory that prayer is a condition of pardon or of entrance 
into the kingdom of God. But unfortunately you did not quote the 
whole of the narrative. That Paul prayed we do not deny, but did he 
obtain the remission of his sins by prayer. This was what you were en- 
deavoring to prove to, or rather to impose upon, your congregation. Un- 
luckily for your theory, there are some stubborn facts in the way. It 
seems that when Ananias came to Paul he did not encourage him to pray 
on in order to the remission of his sins, but he rather chid him for tarry- 
ing. See Acts xxii. 16: "And now why tarriest thouT arise, and be 



58 BIOGRAPHY OF 

baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." 
He was baptized then, you perceive ; yes he was buried with him (the 
Lord) by baptism. See Romans vi. 4. 

The next argument you bring forward against baptism is the case of 
the twelve disciples at Ephesus, but in your quotation you stopped too 
soon. Paul asked these disciples if they had " received the Holy Ghost 
since they believed. They said unto him, We have not so much as heard 
whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what 
then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then 
said Puul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying 
unto the people that they should believe on Him who should come after 
him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this they were baptized 
in the name of the Lord Jesus," &c. The inference which I draw from 
this passage is this, viz : These twelve persons were baptized unto John's 
baptism, after the establishment of Christian baptism, and it would follow 
then as a matter of course that their baptiam, as you say, did them no 
good, because they were baptized in the name of Him who was to come, 
when He had already come. It then became necessary to re-baptize 
them, and it was accordingly done. But you forgot to tell this in your 
discourse. 

You say, and truly too, that "We must come to God through Christ." 
Christ is the way. Now is it not very evident that in order to travel 
along a rorfd or way, we must first get into that way. Now as Christ is 
the way to God, we must first get into him and walk in him too. The 
query then is, how do we get into Christ? The Apostle says, Romans 
vi. 3, " Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus 
Christ," &c. See Galatians iii. 27, " For as many of you as have been 
baptized into Christ have put on Christ." 

That old argument, that a man may be placed in a condition where he 
is unable to obey the commandment of the Lord, is so light and trivial, 
that, were it not that some persons love to hear the preacher apologize for 
their disobedience to*God's commandments, I should hardly condescend 
to notice it. Do you suppose that the individual who has had his Bible 
in his hands for years, and who has been told his duty scores of times, 
and yet wickedly perseveres in disobedience to the command of the Lord, 
do you suppose that God will violate his own law to accommodate such 
an individual ? God has said, " Wheresoever I record my name, there 
am I to be foufm." Has he not recorded it in baptism? 



• 



GEO. W. ABELL. 59. 

I tell you upon the authority of the Word of the Lord, if you have 
never been born of water and Spirit, you are not in the kingdom of God. 
If you have never been baptized, you are not in Christ. And if you are 
not in Christ, you are still an alien. I admonish you then, as a fellow- 
traveller to a vast and never ending eternity, that you 'delay no longer, 
but proceed forthwith, and obey from the heart that form of doctrine de 
livered by the apostle, viz: That Christ died for* our sins, that he was 
buried, and that he rose again from the dead. Become dead to sin, be 
buried by baptism with your Lord, and rise therefrom to walk in newness 
of life. But if you will not enter the kingdom of God yourself, I entreat 
you not to hinder those that would. Stand no longer in the way of sin- 
ners. 

N. B. — " For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the 

prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall 

add unto him the plagues that are written in this book : And if any man 

shall take away from the words of the prophecy of this book, God shall 

take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and 

from the things which are written in this book." Revelation xxii. 18, 19. 

Yours affectionately, 

J. A. COWGILL. 

We now come to the labors of brother Abell in 
the year 1852. 

From an editorial in the Intelligencer of April 
24 we read : 

From a private letter received by a brother in the city, we learn at a 
meeting lately held at Grafton, in the county of York, by brethren Hunter 
and Abell, that twenty-two persons were added to the congregation. 

If the preachers will not report the success of their efforts, will not 
some of the brethren, among whom they labor, be so good as to do so? 
It cheers and animates the spirits of the saints to hear of sinners being led 
to repentance, and there can be no good reason why they should not be 
informed through the paper of the triumphs of truth. 

Two better, purer and more modest men could 
not be found than brethren Hunter and AbelL 



€o BIOGRAPHY OF 

They were known to have held successful meet- 
ings, sometimes, and not to report them, even 
in private conversation. And brother Coleman, 
knowing- their modesty, gave them a gentle re- 
proof by requesting others to report. 

Sandy Ridge, Hampshire Co., Va., 
September 9, 1852. 
Brother Coleman: 

Dear Sir,— Brethren G. W. Abell and Dillard held a 
protracted meeting at this place and the "Forks of Capon," beginning 
the fourth Lord's day in August, and which resulted in seven additions by 
baptism. 

When the general evangelist first visited this place on the 10th of Au- 
gust, 1850, the church numbered only fourteen members, and they were 
in a cold, formal condition. Surrounded by the formidable legions of 
sectarianism, they were almost constrained to yield the field to their 
powerful opponents. " But thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus 
Christ," there has been a great change brought about, principally through 
the instrumentality of our beloved brother in the Lord, G. W. Abell. 
The church now numbers fifty-six members, having quadrupled her num- 
ber in two years. 

The first principles of the doctrine of the reformation have taken a firm 
footing in this part of the country. But occupying as we do the frontier, 
we are exposed to the hostile invasions from the troops of the old apoca- 
lyptic queen. But with the help of the Lord we shall endeavor not only 
to defend our own territory, but to make some aggressions on the enemy's. 
We hope our beloved brethren in Eastern Virginia will still keep us in 
memory, and occasionally send us over a reinforcement. At all events let 
us have the benefit of your prayers. 

From Sandy Ridge these brethren proceeded to the church at High- 
land Valley, Frederick county (fifteen miles of Winchester), at which 
place they held a protracted meeting, lasting four or five days, and which 
resulted in the death, burial and resurrection of nine happy converts; 
among these was an aged grandsire, who had passed his threescore years 
and ten by some four years ; also three couples, partners for life in the ties 



GEO. W. ABELL. 6 1 

of holy matrimony, were buried in the likeness of their Lord's death,, 
and were raised in the likeness of his resurrection. 

The church at this place numbers twenty members. They had almost 
become discouraged. Surrounded by a hostile sect, which was all the 
time endeavoring to crush them, they had well-nigh despaired of exist- 
ence. But thank the Lord there is now a flattering prospect, Babylon 
herself begins to tremble, .and well she may, for truth is all powerful, and 
must and will prevail. 

The brethren have commenced the erection of a house for public wor- 
ship, but their funds being rather scanty, they are constrained to solicit 
assistance from the brotherhood. If the brethren in Eastern Virginia or 
the Valley feel themselves able and disposedv^o lend a helping hand, they 
will no doubt obtain the thanks and blessings of this little band of Dis- 
ciples. Their meeting-house is a plain log building, twenty-six by thirty 
feet. Should the brethren feel disposed to contribute something to assist 
this little community of their brethren and sisters in their undertaking, 
they can forward the same to William Hiett, Ashton's Mills, Frederick 
county, Virginia, or hand it over to brother G. W. Abell. 

On the second Lord's day in August the two preaching brethren above 
named held a meeting at Mount Jackson, Shenandoah county, which 
resulted in two additions. 

On the third Lord's day, and for several succeeding days, they held a 
meeting at New Providence, Warren county. There were nineteen addi- 
tions at this meeting. This is a new church, planted in November, 1 851, 
by the joint labors of brethren Abell, Abraham Campbell and Dr. Jack- 
son. They baptized at that time thirty-three. It is now a flourishing con- 
gregation, numbering I believe between fifty and sixty Disciples. 

Your brother in the Lord, 

James A. Cowgill. 

Dear Brother Coleman: 

I visited Booker meeting-house the fourth Lord's 
day in November. Mr. Reynolds, a young Baptist minister, had an ap- 
pointment for preaching. When I entered the meeting-house, I found 
him in the stand with a Methodist minister, Mr. Garrett. After the ordi- 
nary preliminary exercises, the Baptist minister announced as his text, 
"How shall man be just with God?" Job, chapter ix., 2d verse. He 
stated that some theologians had attempted to show that man was justified 



62 BIOGRAPHY OF 

by faith; others, that he was justified by repentance; and others, that he 
was justified by his good works. But he, Mr. Reynolds stated, and in 
apparent contrast with these views, that man was justified by the merits of 
the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Thus we presume, without designing it, he 
assumed the ground of the Universalists, and inscribed upon his altar — 
Blood alone ! Would it not be well for him to go back to the Richmond 
College and take another course of lectures on Theology? 

After Mr. Reynolds had concluded, he called upon his Methodist 
brother to follow him. He, a little better versed in the tenets of ortho- 
doxy, took the position (directly contrary to the Apostle James, chapter ii.) 
that man is justified by faith alone, declaring the anathemas of Paul, 
Galatians i., against any who^'should preach any other gospel. I presume 
he did not consider that his curses were falling upon the head of his Bap- 
tist brother, who had just preceded him. 

After Mr. Garrett had concluded, Mr. Reynolds announced they would 
proceed to attend to the Lord's supper, the Baptist rule being in this neigh- 
borhood to attend to it once in three months, instead of every first day, 
according to the custom of the primitive Disciples. But in the celebration 
of this institution, brother Garrett, in common with his brethren, was 
treated with as little courtesy as the despised Nazarines. If man is justi- 
fied by the merits of Christ alone, independent of any or all conditions, 
as Mr. Reynolds preached, or by faith alone, as Mr. Garrett preached, how 
will Mr. Reynolds justify himself in excluding his brother Garrett»from a 
participation in those elements which commemorate the death and suffer- 
ings of Christ upon which the justification of man depends? Certainly 
he will not say, brother Garrett has not been baptized, and therefore has 
no right to this institution, especially as baptism has no connection, in Mr. 
Reynolds' judgment, with the salvation of man. Be that as it may, it was 
certainly hard treatment toward Mr. Garrett that he should work hard for 
his brother Reynolds, and then be excluded from the table; but he must 
recollect the Baptist rules so require. 

After their exercises were all completed (and they seemed to be in hot 
haste for this) we addressed the people, showing that God 'had cne plan 
by which he proposed to save man, pointed out that plan, and urged the 
importance of all Christians uniting upon it, according to the prayer of our 
Saviour, as found in John xvii. At the conclusion of our remarks, a gen- 
tleman came forward to make the confession, and a lady, a member of the 
Baptist church, to unite with the Disciples. There is a noble little band 



GEO. W. ABELL. 6$ 

of Christian soldiers at this place. May the Lord, sustain them, and 
enable them to live worthy of the high vocation with which they are called. 

The Baptist church at this place is pretty well leavened with the prin- 
ciples of the reformation for which we plead. A goodly number of them, 
and prominent members, believe as strongly in the doctrine of baptism (to 
the believing penitent) for the remission of sins as any one among us. 

The preacher who has been acting as pastor for them, Mr. Cornelius 
Tyree, is exceedingly hostile to us. He misrepresents our views — whe- 
ther knowingly or not I presume not to say — and does all in his power, 
publicly and privately, to poison and prejudice the minds of the people 
against us. May the Lord deliver him from the snare of the devil, in 
which he has been taken. 

May the good Lord bless and sustain you, my dear brother, in common 
with all those who are contending for " the faith once delivered to the 
saints." 

G. W. Abell. 



64 BIOGRAPHY OF 



CHAPTER VII. 

Reasons assigned for brother Abell's failure to report his success. He 
removes his family to Scottsville. More affliction — it hinders his 
work. He desponds over failure. His firm confidence that the Lord 
will spare him to work in His vineyard. Reports of his labors this 
year — 1853. Removal from Scottsville to Oak Forest, Cumberland, at 
which place he lost a child, and had one born to him. 

"OROTHER ABELL was appointed State 
-L* Evangelist in the fall of 1849; ne na d never 
made a full report of his labors or of their re- 
sults; and what the brotherhood knew of his 
labors and success was mainly through the re- 
ports of others. The brethren could not under- 
stand why he failed to report. But had they 
known that brother Abell was conscious of a 
weakness — that he was ambitious; and that he 
was determined, with God's help, to crucify it, 
with all of its unholy inclinations — they would 
have appreciated his motives; and pardoned him 
for meagre reports of his successes. Being ig- 
norant of these things, they passed, at the fall 
meeting in Richmond, of this year (1852), the fol- 
lowing resolution: 



GEO. W. ABELL. 65 

Resolved, That our General Evangelists be requested in their annual 
reports to give the number of additions, and to state all facts and incidents 
connected with churches, and the progress of the cause in the sections 
visited by them." 

In September of this year, he moved his family 
to Scottsville, Albemarle county. During their 
stay in Barboursville they had born to them two 
daughters, Clara May and Eliza. 

Brother Abell failed to attend his appoint- 
ments this fall, owing to affliction. He was a 
man of God and a man for God; he loved him 
above all earthly objects; but being human, he 
was influenced by the ties of flesh and blood. 
No man ever loved his wife and children more 
dearly than he. He was a man, a mortal man, 
subject to the common frailties of the best of 
men. During this year he had been blessed 
of the Lord at nearly all of his meetings; but 
at a meeting in King William he had labored 
with* great earnestness for the conversion of sin- 
ners; but no one seemed to be moved by the 
converting grace of God. The church also 
seemed to be uncommonly cold, and, to increase 
the causes of disappointment, clouds thickened 
and a rain set in and broke up the meeting. On 
going to brother White's, he went to bed. He 
was low down in gloom. He had what is called 
"religious blues." He had no fever, nor any 
5 



66 ( BIOGRAPHY OF 

pain, but he was sick in soul. A brother called 
to see him, and after a very brief salutation he 
exclaimed; '"How hath the Lord covered the 
daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and 
cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty 
of Israel, and remembered not his footstool. . . . 
For these things I weep; mine eyes run over 
with tears ; . . . . the comforter that should 
relieve my soul is far from me.'" "I feel like 
Jonah," said he," "I wish to die; it is better for 
me to die than to live ; I am of no use upon 
earth." But the Lord came in time and cheered 
him up ; and another brother came so see him 
and comforted him very much, and ventured to 
admonish him that if he did not husband his 
strength more carefully, he would come to an 
untimely end. He replied : " My brother, you 
are mistaken ; the Lord has much work for me 
to do even now, and very great work for me 
to do in the future. I do not think the Lord 
will take me from earth until my work is done. 
I can even see the work before me. The Lord 
knows how to manage his servants." His idea 
was that everything was from the Lord; and 
that in time he would see that all things work 
together for the good of his people and for 
the advancement of his cause. He believed in 



GEO. W. ABELL. 67 

a special providence. Nor was he in error on 
that subject. 

Dear Brother Coleman: 

I have recently made a visit to Lovingston, Nel- 
son county, and spoke several days to the citizens of that place. Although 
■the weather was very unfavorable, we had a good hearing; and we trust 
the seed sown may bring forth much fruit unto eternal life. An intelli- 
gent, talented young man was immersed into Christ, to whose usefulness 
in the good cause we look forward with a great deal of interest. 

The Methodist influence formerly prevailed at this place; but, as at 
many other places, it is here on the wane. 

Our brother Fitzpatrick (the hospitality of whose kind family I enjoyed) 
is as zealous and devoted as ever to the Old Gospel. He is very solici- 
tous to have the preaching brethren visit and preach to his neighbors. 

Lovingston ought to be occupied. After leaving Albemarle we travel 
through Nelson, Amherst, Campbell, to Pittsylvania, without finding one 
single station of soldiers of the Great King. The harvest is plenteous 
and the laborers few. May the Lord of the harvest send forth laborers 
into the field. 

Your co-laborer in the good work, 

G. W. Abell, 

February 2. 
Brethren Hunter and Henley : 

I desire, the Lord willing, next week, to 
visit the Disciples in Fredericksburg ; and, after giving them a meeting, 
to proceed, via the Rappahannock neighborhood, to Matthews Court- 
house. I hope you will not forfeit your promise . to attend me on this 
trip. The presence and assistance of other preaching brethren would be 
gladly recieved. 

G. W. Abell. 

Brethren Walthall and Abell have conducted a meeting of ten or 
twelve days' continuance in Scottsville, which resulted in seven additions 
to the church — all from the world. 

R. L. C. 



6S BIOGRAPHY OF 

Brother Ware's, May 4, 1853. 
Brother Coleman: 

After brother Campbell and yourself left Rappahan- 
nock on Mo.nday, brother Goss delivered a discourse, in his usual strong, 
bold and eloquent style. By the way, I believe it is the general opinion 
of the brotherhood .that he ought to have a little more regard to Paul's 
injunction to Timothy, "Preach the word; be instant," not only "in sea- 
son," but also "out of season." It is quite difficult to prevail on brother 
Goss to preach, even when " in season." And as to his preaching when 
"out of season," I was going to say that was altogether out of the ques- 
tion; there can be no hazard in saying he is certainly not "easily en- 
treated." 

The meeting closed this morning with the immersion of three individ- 
uals, making in all six immersions. 

The Disciples here have been highly gratified at the meeting. I trust 
much good has been accomplished, and like "bread cast upon the waters," 
I hope the good effects of it may appear after many days. The remem- 
brance of the kindness of the br.etb.ren and sisters of " The Rappahan- 
nock" will be borne home by those who attended this meeting, and 
cherished with fond recollections. 

After hearing brother Campbell preach, and being in his company, I 
have been forcibly impressed with that divine oracle, " He that liveth 
godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." He is certainly a great 
and good man, in the true meaning of these terms. May the Lord pre- 
serve him, and prolong his life many days, that he may continue to devote 
his energies to the support and defence of that living and abiding word, 
to which his days have been given up. 

To-morrow afternoon, the Lord willing, I will deliver a discourse on 
the occasion of the death of brother Cawthorn, after which, in company 
with brother Cowgill, I proceed to Richmond county. 

I hope we shall all use due diligence to carry out our resolve to endow 
a chair in Bathany College. Will not the thought that this college is in 
Virginia soil stimulate the Virginia brotherhood, and sisterhood as well ? 
Shall Virginia's only daughter reach forth her hand and her mother close 
her bowels of compassion against her? Shall Kentucky, the daughter of 
Virginia, or Missouri, her grand-daughter (if she claim the honor) put the 
old mother to the blush? "These things ought not so to be." 

The children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for 
the children. G. W. Abell. 



• 



GEO. W. ABELL. 69 

Brother Carper's, Hampshire Co., Va. 

Dear Brother Coleman: 

After an absence of fifteen weeks, I reached 
home in safety on the 5th instant. I found my family in the enjoyment of 
pretty good health. 

During my very agreeable and pleasant journey to Eastern Virginia I 
enjoyed remarkably good health, with the exception of a slight attack of 
intermittent fever when in Hanover county. 

I would say to the brethren and sisters in Eastern Virginia, with whom 
I had the privilege of becoming acquainted, that I feel grateful to them 
for their kindness and liberality to me during my sojourn among them, 
but regret that it was not in my power to bestow an equivalent for their 
kind attentions. I ardently hope they will be rewarded for their pains 
at the resurrection of the just. I shall ever remember with fond recollec- 
tions my visit among them, and hope that though it was the first visit it 
may not be the last. 

On the second Lord's day brother Jackwellfend myself held a' meeting 
at a place called the Levels, in this county, which resulted in three immer- 
sions. On the succeeding Tuesday morning I joined brother Abell at 
Highland Valley, found him in the midst of very flatteriug prospects. The 
meeting at Walnut Spring, Shenandoah county, held by brethren Abell 
and Dillard, embracing the first Lord's. day, resulted in twelve additions, 
ten by baptism, and two that had been previously baptized. During the 
same week they visited New Providence, Warren county, where there were 
three more added to the flock of the faithful. After joining brother Abell 
at Highland Valley, we prosecuted the work of the Lord with as much 
energy as we could command. Our meeting closed on Saturday morning, 
down by the edge or shore of Brush Creek. During this meeting there 
were sixteen additions, fourteen by baptism, and two that had been pre- 
viously baptized. The church at this place is now in a flourishing con- 
dition. Thirteen months ago there were only ten Disciples at this place, 
surrounded by a hostile host of sectarians. It now numbers thirty-five, 
and the Gospel of Christ is becoming decidedly more popular than sec- 
tarianism in this vicinity. 

Our meeting is now in progress at the Christian meeting house in this 
county. We have had no confessions as yet, but the prospect is by no 
means discouraging. I will not close my communication till we see the 
result. 



JO BIOGRAPHY OF 

Brother Hawkins', Wardensville, Va. 

Our meeting at the Christian meeting house closed at the edge of the 
great Cacapon river on Saturday last. This meeting resulted in twenty- 
two additions, twenty by baptism, and two that had been immersed pre- 
viously. The Disciples at the Christian meeting house have organized 
and appointed their officers, and we think they will prosper very well. 

We are of the opinion that the part of Virginia embracing the Valley, 
and some of the counties adjacent, compose the best field for evangelizing 
we have ever been in. It is true we here, as in other places, have secta- 
rian bigotry and prejudice to contend with, but it is not of so formidable 
a kind as you have to meet in Eastern Virginia. Nearly all the religious 
opposition in this county is from the Pedobaptist clergy. The people seem 
to be determined to hear for themselves in spite of the remonstrances of 
their would-be spiritual guides. Wherever the old gospel is preached 
sectarianism begins to wane. 

Yours, in the hope of eternal life, 

J. A. Cowgill. 

To publish the following may appear a small 
matter, yet it shows the animus of the man: 

Tenth Legion, September 24, 1853. 

Brethren Hugharl and Doswell : 

If you can, please make your arrange- 
ments to be with me at my appointments, as you see them published in 
the Intelligencer for your country; also do what you can to give them 
publicity. I shouid be pleased to have our young brother Jones, or any 
of the other brethren who can, to be with me, as I fear I shall be alone. 

G. W. Abell. 

I expect, the Lord willing, to fill brother Walthall's appointments in 
Charlottesville the fourth Sunday in September, and first in October. 

Booker's, Cumberland, second Sunday; Mount Olivet, Lunenburg, third 

Sunday; Perseverance, fourth; Zion, Dinwiddie, fifth. 'Brother Spencer, 

of Powhatan, may have the first Lord's day in November, appropriated 

for the new meeting-house in his section, and the second at any point he 

desires; Corinth, if he thinks proper. 

G. W. Abell. 



GEO. W. ABELL. 7 1 

Louisa Courthouse, April i, 1875. 

Brother A ins lie : 

In December, 1852, brother Abell came to Nelson 
Court-house. The Methodists were the only religious people who had a 
house of worship in Lovingston; but they regarded brother Abell as a 
preacher of heretical doctrine, and refused him admittance to their church. 
He preached in the Court-house. He came up to my mother's one after- 
noon, and when I went into the chamber he was talking to my sister, then 
nearly eighteen years old, who was not a Christian. My mother at that 
time was a member of the Methodist church. As soon as I took my seat 
he began talking with me on the importance of obeying the gospel. The 
next evening, at the close of the second sermon, I went forward to confess 
my heart-faith in Jesus, and the next morning was baptized. I had never 
witnessed a baptism. My mother made no objection, but on the contrary 
was much gratified. About a month afterwards, brethren Walthall and 
Abell visited Lovingston. My sister and another lady made the good 
confession, and were baptized ; my mother was baptized also. 

A few years afterwards brother Abell came to Nelson Court-house again 
and preached the gospel, and baptized my younger brothers — Preston and 

Edward. 

Yours, fraternally, 

L. A. Cutler. 

Report as Evangelist from November 1852 to November 1853. 

Powhatan County, November 14, 1853. 
Beloved Brethren: 

As your evangelist, I beg leave to submit to you the 
following report of my labors since your last annual session : 

My first tour of the present year was into the counties between the Rap- 
pahannock and Mattaponi rivers; namely, Essex, Middlesex, Matthews, 
Gloucester and King & Queen. There is not a congregation in either 
Middlesex or Gloucester [one now in Middlesex, 1875], nor have our 
brethren preached but little in either; although from what I could gather, 
they both present promising prospects. I would respectfully suggest to 
the congregations of King & Queen, Essex and Matthews — namely, 
Smyrna, Rappahannock and Ephesus — the propriety of directing the at- 
tention of their evangelist to these points, Middlesex and Gloucester. 



72 BIOGRAPHY OF 

From our Spring meeting, held with the Rappahannock congregation, 
I made a shorfvisit to the Northern Neck. Here, is another section, em- 
braced between the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers, comprising the 
counties of Stafford, King George, Richmond, Westmoreland, Lancaster 
and Northumberland, calling alond for the proclamation of the old Gospel. 
Not a single congregation of Disciples in all this region. [One now in 
Westmoreland and one in Richmond county, 1875.] I would respect- 
fully ask the congregations of Caroline and Spottsylvania, in connection 
with those of King & Queen, Essex and Matthews, if they cannot lend 
a listening ear to this Macedonian cry from the Northern Neck?. Would 
not the good accomplished by the labors of your evangelists in these des- 
titute regions more than compensate for your deprivation ? 

My next visit was through the counties between Pamunkey, York and 
James rivers: namely, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, James City, York 
and Elizabeth City. In connection with other destitute places in this 
section, I would respectfully call the attention of the congregations of 
these counties to the town of Hampton, Elizabeth City county. There 
are a few faithful, devoted Disciples at this place, and, I think, with a 
proper effort, the standard of the cross might be planted here. 

My next visit was to the Valley and some of the adjacent counties, 
visiting and preaching in Rockingham, Shenandoah, Warren, Frederick, 
Hampshire and Hardy. Things in this district present a different aspect 
from what they did a few years since ; then, the churches were distracted 
and divided; no evangelists in the field. Now, union has been restored 
to a very great degree. Brother Dillard has been acting as evangelist 
during the last year, reporting at their late co-operation meeting one hun- 
dred and twenty additions within his bounds for the year. Two evange- 
lists, viz : Brethren Cowgill and Dillard have been appointed for the ensu- 
ing year. It is proper to add, that this change has been effected under 
the auspices of this general co-operation. 

Though desirous of doing so, it has been beyond my power to visit 
Pittsylvania and Henry and other counties contiguous to them. I was 
pleased however to see that our zealous and indefatigable brother Bullard 
had some appointments in that quarter. He very appropriately Calls the 
attention of this body to this section. The brethren there are anxious to 
employ a District Evangelist, to labor exclusively in those counties; if they 
can succeed in this, it would be better to do so than to rely exclusively 



GEO. W. ABELL. 73 

upon the general evangelists, there being work sufficient in that region to 
employ the full time of several proclaimers. 

My last tour was through some of the counties south of James river, 
Cumberland, Amelia, Prince Edward, Lunenburg, Dinwiddie, Chester- 
field and Powhatan. This is a very interesting field, and the people here 
are calling loudly for the Jerusalem gospel. The brethren here, at their 
last co-operation meeting, resolved to throw their means into the general 
treasury, though they prefer if they could to have a proclaimer of their 
own. This would certainly be very desirable, especially as there is here 
a large and tempting field to be occupied. Besides these districts enume- 
rated, I have visited and preached at points in Albemarle, Nelson and 
Fluvanna. 

I have had the kind co-operation of different brethren in various portions 
of the State. In conjunction with them, the number of additions (em- 
bracing those by confession and baptism, reclaimed and brought into fel- 
lowship, who had been previously baptized,) since the last annual meeting 
has been two hundred and forty-two. 

When, my beloved brethren, we cast our eyes over a map of our State, 
see what a small portion, comparatively speaking, has been occupied by 
us, what large tracts there are, in which we are almost unknown, it be- 
comes us, one and all, to bestir ourselves with renewed and double dili- 
gence. There is much land to be possessed ; if the Lord delight in us we 
shall go up and possess it. Let us see to it, that through unbelief we do 
not make an evil report, and so discourage the hearts of the people. 

All of which is respectfully submitted by your evangelist, 

G. W. Abell. 

In December 1853, he, with his family, moved 
from Scottsville to Oak Forest, Cumberland 
county, where their little girl Eliza died of 
brain fever. Here they had born to them 
another child, whom they named Sallie. 



74 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Brother Abell's views of the liquor traffic. His annual report for 1854. 
Letters respecting his work in 1 855-' 6 — and his annual reports for 
i8 5 6-'7-'8-'9. 

T~N January 1854, Brother Abell received a 
-■*- letter from , a disciple, on the propriety of a 
Christian selling intoxicating drinks; and he 
answered it as follows: 

I am firmly convinced that this question is properly answered in the 
negative. I am fully persuaded that the Disciples ought not -to sell intoxi- 
cating drinks : 

1 . It has the appearance of evil, and we are commanded positively to 
abstain from the very appearance of evil. To sell intoxicating drinks is,, 
then, to violate this apostolic injunction. 

2. It not only has the appearance of evil, but actual evils of the most 
direful nature result from it. How many have been brought to fill a 
drunkard's grave in consequence of it ? How many have been brought to 
want, poverty, wretchedness, and woe thereby? How many hearts have 
been broken, crushed, lacerated, torn to pieces by it ? How many widows 
and orphans made by it? A thousand good reasons could be given *on the 
negative side of this question, but two good reasons are sufficient to sub- 
stantiate any position. We humbly conceive they have been given, and we 
leave them for the solemn consideration of those who may be engaged in 
this traffic; and we pray God that-they may seriously ponder over the sub- 
ject, and act in that manner, which will secure to them an approving con- 
science in the last struggles of mortality, and bring upon them the plaudit,. 

"Well done good and faithful servant." 

G. W. Abell. 



GEO. W. ABELL. 75 

The following is a very imperfect report of 
brother Abell's labors for the time indicated. 
We see in it his modesty, and commend him 
for it; but at the same time we regret that he 
did not go more into detail, and record many 
incidents of which we have neard. As we are 
unable to even record a moineau of them cor- 
rectly, therefore we present the report without 
them: 

Beloved Brethren in Christ : 

The time has arrived for us again to report 
to you our annual labors and the result of the same. 

Soon after our last annual session, I removed from the county of Albe- 
marle, where my family was then residing, to the county of Cumberland, 
south of James river. This and the surrounding counties, Buckingham, 
Amelia and Powhatan, being missionary grounds, I confined my labors to 
the same during the winter months. I regard this a good field for evan- 
gelical operations. There is a small congregation at Booker's, Cumber- 
land. We have also organized at Paineville, Amelia. There is also a 
good prospect about Amelia Court-house for the success of the gospel. 

During the Spring I lost some time from my field of labors, being con- 
fined at home in consequence of affliction in my family, resulting in the 
death of one of my children. I however visited the counties of Hanover 
and King and Queen, holding meetings with the congregations worshiping 
at Ground Squirrel, Independence and Slash, Hanover and Horeb, King 
& Queen. 

During the summer I visited the counties of Pittsylvania, Henry, Pat- 
rick and Franklin, holding meetings at various points in those counties. 
There are small congregations interspersed through those counties ; one 
at Pittsylvania Court-house, one at County Line, another at Ephesus, and 
another at Horse Pasture, Henry county. The brethren at these points 
are anxious to employ, and willing to sustain-, an Evangelist ; and were a 
faithful, efficient preacher situated among them, with the blessing of the 



J 6 BIOGRAPHY OF 

Lord, he would accomplish much good, as this field is white for the har- 
vest. 

During the fall I have visited and preached, in company with our be- 
loved brother Parrish and other brethren, in the counties of Fluvanna, 
Albemarle, Hanover, King William and Caroline. 

I have endeavored, my beloved brethren, so far as I could, to carry out 
what I conceive to be the -object of your co-operation; and that is, the 
proclamation of the glad tidings to the destitute. And if I have not 
spent as much time among those through whose liberality I am permitted 
to engage in this work, as they might desire, neither have I as much as I 
could myself wish. It would be much more agreeable to our own feel- 
ings, as also less laborious, to spend our time where the cause is well 
established, and where we would have the countenance and co-operation 
of many devoted brethren and sisters, than to be standing up in the face 
of strong opposition, where the cause is weak and languishing; but this 
is not a question as to what is our pleasure, it is rather a question as to 
what is our duty. God, in his providence, has assigned to us the field of 
Virginia — all Virginia; and he expects us, with his blessing, to bring her 
favored sons and daughters under Messiah's peaceful dominion". Breth- 
ren, you have had committed to you by the Lord of the harvest, both the 
talents and the means, if properly directed, to accomplish this glorious 
end. Let us be bound together by the triple cord of peace, union and 
love, and it can be done. And let us say, " By the grace of God, it shall 
be done." • 

All of which is respectfully submitted by your brother and Evangelist, 

. G. W. Abell. 

P. S. — The blessing of the Lord has, to some extent, attended our la- 
bors. Number of additions, including those by confession and baptism, 
reclaimed, and brought into scriptural order by an observance of the ordi- 
nances, one hundred and thirty-seven. 

G. W. A. 

The above report merits special attention, be- 
cause, first, it presents the real character of 
George W. Abell; second, it will enable the 
brethren in Virginia to see their duty, and to 



GEO. W. ABELL. 77 

be ready to carry it out with determination and 
zeal. 

Brother Abell was often embarrassed in his 
work because of the complaints of good but 
improperly educated brethren, upon the subject 
of evangelizing. They wanted him to preach 
for them where the cause was established, when 
he knew that his work was in regions where 
the cause had not been established. And the 
same kind of complaints are still extended to 
the evangelists of the present date. When 
they are better educated, instead of embarras- 
sjng the evangelists in this, they will encourage 
them to go into fields that are crying for help, 
namely, where we have no churches and few 
members. 

The following are of date 1855: 

Brethren Cole?nan and Walthall: 

I have recently made a visit to Stan- 
ardsville, Greene county. Since my prior visit, Death has been there 
upon his pale horse, and among the number that had bowed to his leaden 
sceptre were two daughters of sister Robinson — Lucinda and Cornelia. 

I had the gratification, some few years since-, of seeing both these young 
ladies bow to the mild sceptre of Him who overcame Death in his own 
silent dominions. I recollect, as one of them came up from the watery 
tomb, in* which she had owned allegiance to her Lord, she sang beauti- 
fully some words with this chorus, "I'll never turn back any more;" and 
they both lived after their profession faithful to this declaration. " They 
n^ver turned back any more;" but "were faithful unto death." They 
now sleep in the embrace of their glorious Redeemer; and when He 
comes again to free all Death's subjects from his long and gloomy reign, 



78 BIOGRAPHY OF 

they will be among the happy number that will "awake to the enjoyment 

of eternal life." 

May the Lord support the aged mother under this bereavement ; and 

may it be blessed to the salvation of the brothers and sisters who are left 

behind. 

G. W. Abell. 

P. S. — While in this neighborhood there were three confessions of the 
name of the Lord. I had a most excellent hearing in behalf of our Great 
King; Our preaching brethren would do well to occupy this point, as the 
people have two ears for the primitive, Apostolic doctrine. 

G. W. A. 

During our absence from home at the time of the Baptist General Asso- 
ciation, held in our town, six persons were baptized, two in Orange, and 
four in Greene. We assisted Brother Abell at each point — Gordonsville 
and Stanardsville. At the same time brethren Goss and Shelburne held 
a meeting at Smyrna, King & Queen, at which there were eighteen addi- 
tions. • , 

A. B. W. 

Oak Forest, Sept. 12, 1855. 
Dear Brother Coleman: • 

Since parting with yourself, and leaving the 

land of our beloved and devoted brethren, Bullard and Shelburne, and 

with them many other noble and choice spirits, whose names are written 

in the Book of Life, and whose memory and kindness shall ever be 

cherished with the fondest recollectio'n ; I say, since then we have had 

several interesting meetings, which have been attended with the blessing 

of the Lord in the conversion of sinners and the edification of the saints. 

Last week I attended a meeting held with the Corinth congrega- 
tion, Powhatan county, and conducted by brethren Parrish, Duval and 
Dick, and which resulted in five additions to the number of the faithful. 
Among them you will be pleased to hear was your old friend and neigh- 
bor, sister Spencer, baptized in her fifteenth year (mother of our beloved 
brother, Isaac Spencer), now seventy years of age, and for forty-five or 
fifty years a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her accession was 
hailed with the greatest delight by the Disciples, all having the utmost 
confidence in her piety and devotion. 

Brother Spencer is very much encouraged; and has afforded me' mate- 



GEO. W. ABELL. 79 

rial assistance in the work of the Lord. May the Lord bless him, and 
make him very useful in proclaiming that gospel to which he is so much 
devoted. 

Old brother Wren is still filling his station in the church, and as zealous 
as ever in that good cause, for which, as he stated in one of his fervid ap- 
peals, he had been laboring for nearly sixty years. His great desire seems 
to be to bring his neighbors to participate in the blessings of that religion, 
which is his stay and support in the evening of his days. May the Lord 
support him, and smooth for him the pathway of life as he descends to 
the tomb. 

The Lord bless you, my dear brother, in common with all engaged in 
the good work, and make us all very useful in time, and happy in eternity. 

Your brother in the good hope, 

G. W. Abell. 

The following are partial reports for 1856: 

Brethren Coleman and Walthall: 

Upon my return home from our general 
meeting, I had the gratification of immersing five of my neighbors into 
the name of the Lord Jesus ; and, in the week following, two, who had 
been Baptists, united with us at Paineville, upon the divine platform of 
prophets and apostles. In both these neighborhoods an interest has been 
excited in behalf of the truth, which, the Lord grant, may continue and 
increase, until the Prince of darkness shall not have left a single advo- 
cate to plead his unhallowed cause of sectarianism and unrighteousness. 
May the Lord bless Zion in your good efforts to build up his cause with 
your tongues and through the press, and avert the strong efforts to sup- 
press it by the enemies of the cross. 

Your brother and fellow-laborer in the good hope, 

G. W. Abell. 

Brethren Abell and Walthall, assisted by 
Brother Goss, held a protracted meeting at 
Stony Point, in Albemarle, commencing on the 
first Sunday in July, at which there were twenty- 



80 BIOGRAPHY OF 

three additions. Among this number there were 
three Baptists, who united with the Disciples. Of 
this meeting Brother Walthall reported as fol- 
lows : 

On the evening of the 4th of July, we left Charlottesville for Stony- 
Point. According to previous notice, Brother Abell commenced a pro- 
tracted effort at that place, which was continued over the second 
Lord's day. Brother Goss and myself gave our beloved and' effi- 
cient Evangelist occasional aid, and the results were highly cheering 
to Zion's friends. Twenty persons were baptized, and three excellent and 
intelligent individuals, members of the Baptist church, being fully per- 
suaded that the "Disciples" preach the Apostolic Gospel and worship 
after the manner of the primitive church, rose superior tp all their prepos- 
sessions, and came nobly forward and took their stand upon the Bible 
platform; and one other, who had been immersed by a Methodist minis- 
ter, gave in her adhesion to the Gospel that began at Jerusalem — but we 
learn from rumor that this individual has since been induced to remain 
with our Methodist friends. 

At the end of the first week. I left Brother Abell at Stony Point, and 
went to Stanardsville, in Greene county, where I delivered some half dozen, 
discourses to attentive and orderly congregations, made up of a general 
turnout of the villagers, and a few from the surrounding country. We 
trust much good seed was sown, the fruits of which may be gathered in 
due time if we faint not. Brother Abell having rejoined me at Stanards- 
ville on Friday, we determined to preach again that night, and then to 
make our way over the Blue Ridge to Page county. We left Stanardsville 
at eleven o'clock at night, and we had a very pleasant trip by moonlight 
upon the Gordonsville and Harrisonburg turnpike. At six o'clock next 
morning we found ourselves at Mr. David Strickler's well furnished break- 
fast table. In the afternoon we left his hospitable abode, and before sun- 
set we reached Mr. Graves' mansion, situated in the upper part of as beau- 
tiful a valley as our eyes ever beheld, called " The Hawksbill Valley." 
We found many kind friends in that delightful country. We shall ever 
remember, with grateful emotions, Mr. Graves and his obliging and hos- 
pitable family ; nor shall we soon forget the kind attentions of Mr. Snider 



GEO. W. ABELL. 8 1 

and his better half, his sons, sons-in-law, daughters and daughters-in-law. 
We shall also bear in mind Brother Dovel, of the Christian connection, 
with whom we spent a night very pleasantly. We trust his children, whom 
we saw at his house, will not remain long in disobedience to our King. 
The Lord bless his afflicted companion. 

But amid all the agreeable incidents which transpired in Page during 
our sojourn, there was one occurrence of a very painful character, which 
we very much regretted to witness. 

We had preached day and night for several days, and on Thursday, the 
last day of our stay in Page, we appointed to baptize a young lady at 
nine o'clock A. M. She was violently opposed by a married sister and 
her husband with whom she lived. But she resolved on obedience to 
God rather than man. Her sister, after having used much abusive lan- 
guage against Brother Abell, proceeded to offer personal violence. She 
caught her sister by the clothes as she was about to enter the water in 
company with Brother Abell. Her husband then advanced and disen- 
gaged her hold, when she immediately seized Brother Abell by the arm, 
and gave him a violent jerk; her grasp being broken again by her hus- 
band's interference, she next caught up a large stone and threw it at Bro- 
ther Abell, the force being broken by the fact, that her husband still 
grasped her arm. The rock struck Brother Abell just where the Scrip- 
tures say the Serpent should touch the seed of the woman — on the heel. 

We doubt not that if Mrs. M. is as honest as Saul of Tarsus was, she, 
too, may yet advocate the faith which she now attempts to destroy, and be 
baptized in the stream in which she saw her obedient sister buried with 
Christ into the likeness of death, and raised again to walk in newness of 
life. 

During our stay in Page we baptized five. It is worthy of note that our 
kind friend, Mr. Graves, is erecting a neat and commodious meeting-house 
at his own charges, while neither he, nor his companion, nor yet his chil- 
dren, belong to any church. 

May they all be brought to obey the gospel of the ever blessed Son of 
God, and be preserved by His grace into his heavenly kingdom. 

A. B. W. 

Brother Abell, assisted by Brother Goss and myself, held a meeting of 
six days, including the 4th Lord's day in August, at Wilmington, Flu- 
vanna county, which resulted in seven excellent additions to the best of 
causes. A. B. W. 

6 



82 BIOGRAPHY OF 

Oak Forest, October 24, 1856. 
Dear Brethren : 

Believing it will be interesting to you to hear from this 
part of the Lord's vineyard, coupled with some solicitude on my part to 
tell the little good news I have, induces me to address you this short 
letter. 

Brother Abell, as you are doubtless aware, has been absent from us, his 
dear family and home in this vicinity, most of the year, calling, however, 
as often as he could, and always preaching when opportunity offered, until 
about three weeks since, when duty to his family compelled him to make 
a temporary stay, which has been attended, as I trust, with much good. 
He returned from an appointment at Paineville on yesterday, where, in 
company with Brother Spencer, he had the pleasure of receiving, by con- 
fession that Jesus is the Christ, seven interesting young persons, all of 
whom he had the unalloyed satisfaction to plant in the likeness of -Christ's 
death. But I have somewhat wandered from the purpose more immedi- 
ately in view when I commenced, which was to speak of the power of 
the ancient Gospel among us. At the suggestion of the writer, Elder 
Abell concluded, some time since, to make an appointment to preach at 
the Poor-house of this county, where we have some twenty-two supported. 

The writer attended, and can say of a truth, the poor had the Gospel 
preached to them. Many of the people of the neighborhood attended, 
and it was manifest that a good impression was made. Brother Abell 
succeeded that appointment with another, and continued to preach for 
them occasionally, till four at that place, and, I think, ten in this vicinity, 
have bowed to the mild sceptre of King Emanuel. This accession makes 
our number stand forty-one. I would not omit to tell you, that at the 
place of general reception of the poor for this county, we have samples 
-of those mentioned as waiting at the pool for the troubling of the waters, 
blind, halt and withered. One poor old man, seventy-eight years of age, 
blind as Bartimeus, heard of Jesus of Nazareth, heard the Gospel, con- 
fessed and obeyed the Lord. An old lady, who remembers and can relate 
many events of the Revolutionary war, was buried by baptism into Christ's 
death; like as she arose from the grave, so we teach, has she to walk in 
newness of life. Another old lady, perhaps seventy, and one young wo- 
man, one of the fourteen added, are highly respectable and intelligent 
ladies, from the Methodists, who unite with us. 

Yours affectionately and fraternally, 

V. C. Ryals. 



GEO. W. ABELL. 83 

Amelia, October 25, 1856. 
Dear Brethren : 

The good cause seems to be onward wherever it is pro- 
claimed. 

An interesting meeting was held at Paineville, the third Lord's day in 
this month, by our worthy and efficient Brother Abell, which resulted in 
ten additions — eight by confession and immersion and two by recom- 
mendation. Brother Spencer, of Powhatan, was also in attendance, man- 
ifesting his usual zeal in behalf of the cause of truth. The church was 
greatly edified, comforted and refreshed. 

A notable increase in the number of hearers, together with frequent ac- 
cessions, indicate an encouraging future. Hoping that you will remember 
this portion of the State, 

In Christian affection, 

J. 

SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT— November, 1856. 
To the Brethren composing the General Co-operation of Virginia: 

Since your last annual session, as your evangelist, I have traveled 
and preached as follows : 

1. During the winter in the counties of James City, York,* Warwick 
and Matthews. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather during 
this trip, we nevertheless had some very interesting meetings, especially in 
York, where the brethren, ever true to their calling, and faithful to their 
profession, always yield us their hearty co-operation, and the result was, 
we frequently enjoyed the pleasare of walking down into her noble stream, 
and amid the floating ice and rolling waves, to plant her sons and daugh- 
ters in the likeness of the death of Christ, the subjects of a more glorious 
independence than that formerly achieved upon her memorable plains. 

2. During the spring I traveled and preached in the counties of Prince 
Edward, Lunenburg, Charlotte and Amelia. The brethren in this district, 
in addition to sustaining Brother Cowgill constantly in the field, also con- 
tribute to the general fund. The good cause in this field has met with 
many reverses, but the prospect is becoming brighter, and with the blessing 



* During this tour Brother Abell baptized Brother R. H. Wynne on the 
10th of March, who was then in his fourteenth year. 



84 BIOGRAPHY OF 

of the Lord upon the noble efforts now being made, the places in this sec- 
tion made waste and desolate by the storms of faction will again be made 
tp rejoice, and her wilderness to blossom as the rose. 

3. My other spring tour, embracing our semi-annual meeting and other 
points in tide-water region, was very much interfered with by a recur- 
rence, and repeated attacks of chills and fever. I was enabled to attend 
but one of these appointments, that with the Rappahannock brethren, 
Essex county. These appointments, however, in Richmond and King & 
Queen counties, were met and attended by Brother Ainslie and other 
brethren with successful and happy results. 

4. During the summer, in company with brethren Walthall and Goss, I 
attended meetings in Page, Greene, Albemarle, Orange, Louisa and Flu- 
vanna. At these points we had excellent hearings and successful results. 
Many brethren and sisters were made to rejoice in witnessing their fami- 
lies, relations and neighbors, bowing to the mild sceptre of the Prince of 
Peace. Nearly a hundred precious souls were brought into the kingdom 
during these meetings. 

5. During the fall, in consequence of affliction in my family, I was de- 
tained some time about home. This time I improved, as well as I could, 
by attending adjacent points, especially Paineville, in Amelia county, and 
my own immediate neighborhood. At the former place, where faction, 
heresy and apostacy had well nigh accomplished their baneful end of 
desolation and destruction, a flourishing congregation has been organized, 
numbering some forty or fifty, under the superintendence of faithful offi- 
cers, and with the divine blessing is destined to leaven that whole commu- 
nity. 

In our own immediate neighborhood I have had the opportunity of af- 
fording one of the strongest arguments in favor of the truth of Christi- 
anity, that of preaching the gospel to the poor. At the suggestion of 
Brother Ryals, one of the elders of Booker congregation, we commenced 
a series of meetings at the " Poor-house" of Cumberland county, and the 
poor not only had the gospel preached to them, but they have also, nearly 
all of them, received it, besides many worthy citizens surrounding this 
humane institution. 

In reviewing the labors of the past year, with their results, we have 
great cause to thank God and take courage. • Interesting and successful 
meetings have been reported by various brethren from almost every quar- 
ter of the State. This gives us the assurance, that despite the malice of 



GEO. W. ABELL. 85 

inward traitors, and the opposition of outward foes, the glorious cause We 
advocate is yet to be crowned with victorious results. . The long down- 
trodden cause of truth and righteousness is yet to lift up her lovely face 
high over the heads of all her foes. The church of God is yet to come 
out of the wilderness as " fair as the moon, as clear as the sun, and as 
terrible as an army with banners." 

In closing this, my seventh annual report, I cannot, beloved brethren, 
refrain from expressing the debt of gratitude which I feel I owe you. 
When, seven years ago, by your kindness you called me to the responsible 
position of acting as your evangelist, I was almost totally without expe- 
rience for the weighty undertaking. Often must you have been called to 
throw the mantle of charity over my many blunders. Nor should we all 
forget the debt of gratitude we owe to the Father of tender mercies. 
During this seven years, how many kind brethren and sisters who com- 
menced this period with us have gone to their long, long homes. Among 
them are some who have struggled in the same field on which we are now 
contending; among them may be mentioned a Hunter, a Bagby and a 
McKennie, who now repose from the toils of the battlefield and await 
their glorious reward. Let us all labor to be prepared when the solemn 
summons shall come to call us away, so that the righteous Judge of quick 
and dead may finally say to us, " Well done, good and faithful servant, 
enter thou into the joys of thy Lord." 

All of which is respectfully submitted by your evangelist, 

G. W. Abell. 



Report of labor for the year 1*857. 

Cool Spring, April 4th, 1857. 
Bear Brother Walthall: 

We are still having very interesting meetings in 
this section. Closed at Perseverance with seventeen interesting additions, 
some of whom I believe Brother Potts has sent on to you as subscribers* 
for the Intelligencer. The brethren afld sisters of that place are worthy 
of their name, Perseverance. 

We have a very interesting meeting going on here — Cool Spring — with 
fourteen additions up to this time. But I am sorry to find that a portion of 
this congregation likewise seem to partake of the nature of its name; their 



86 BIOGRAPHY OF 

love and zeal, if they ever had any, seems to have waxed rather cool. How- 
ever, there are noble exceptions. Brethren Cowgill and Potts, who have la- 
bored zealously with me in these meetings, are true men and wholly given 
to. the work. They need and deserve the prayers and co-operation of the 
brethren, and with these they will accomplish much good. Like all men 
of true merit, they are modest and retiring, and therefore need encour- 
agement. The cold and blighting speculations of materialism have done 
much to retard the progress of the cause of truth in this section. But the 
Lord omnipotent ruleth, and vengeance belongeth unto him. 

I think the rod of Moses has fallen very heavily upon Jeremiah, and 
ere this he stands in need of an anointing — if not of Lard — at least of 
compassion. Had he possessed more of the unction of humility, then 
he had been saved of this sore and heavy smiting. His head should be 
waters and his eyes a fountain of tears, to weep over his many perver- 
sions of truth and righteousness. 

Many brethren would be glad to see some articles — editorial — in favor 
of Sunday schools, prayer meetings, and the obligations of Disciples to 
contribute to the Bible Union, Missionary society, and the endowment of 
a Bethany chair. We need educated Missionaries, with a pure Bible in 
their hands and in their heads and hearts, and we want them sent to all 
the nations of the earth. We possess the means, with the blessing of 
God, to do this glorious work. All that is needed is for these means to 
be developed and brought into operation. Shall not the Intelligencer 
point out and impress upon the consciences of the Virginia brotherhood, 
the way by which these means can be developed and brought into opera- 
tion? Then it will be worthy of its name and a blessing to our race. 

Yours truly, in Christian bonds, 

G. W. Abell. 

Central Plains, April 18, 1857. 

Dear Brothers Walthall and Coleman : 

Our meeting at Cool Spring was 
progressing with unabated interest, when it was terminated, on last Mon- 
day, by the inclemency of the weather. The immediate and visible 
effects were the addition of forty-two precious souls to the army of the 
faithful. May they all be faithful unto death, and receive a drown of 
glory that fadeth not away. 

This congregation, from various adverse circumstances, had become well- 



GEO. W. ABELL. &J 

nigh dead; and there was great danger of the golden candlestick being 
removed from their midst. But we trust an impetus has been given it 
which will never be spent till the day of eternity. We urged upon the 
brethren the importance of having a Sunday school, Bible class, and 
prayer meetings, in addition to their weekly meetings, under the superin- 
tendence of Brethren Lee and Fowlkes, together with the aid of Brethren 
Wilson and Doswell, and we trust that great good may be accomplished 
through the instrumentality of this congregation. Our venerable Brother 
Shelbume will be pleased to hear of the success of the Gospel among his 
old neighbors. But all the preaching, exhortation and prayers were inef- 
fectual in the case of his son Thomas, who alone of all the family stands 
in the ranks of the malignant foe of God and man. May he not be found 
there on the great day of the vengeance of God Almighty ! May*he not 
then experience the awful reality of the solemn declaration of the Son of 
God : " When ye shall see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom 
of God, and you yourselves thrust out into outer darkness, there shall be 
weeping and* wailing and gnashing of teeth." 

Had Dr. Jeter and Editor Sands attended this meeting, and witnessed 
the power of the gospel in breaking down the proud and carnal disposi- 
tion of the careless, worldly minded sinner, melting him into love and 
obedience, and filling him with peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, I don't 
think they would have felt like writing any more books and editorials 

against it. 

G. W. Abell. 

June 20, 1857. 

At a protracted meeting recently held at Stony Point, Albemarle county, 
Virginia, there were fourteen confessions. Brother Abell was assisted by 
Elders Goss, Coleman and Flippo. 

In our last issue, we reported in a brief synopsis one hundred and 
twenty-three additions. Brother Abell now writes : 

" Since my letter to you informing you of fourteen additions at Walnut 
Springs, there have been two more, making sixteen at that point. At 
Sandy Ridge, Hampshire county, seven baptisms, and one restored, 
making eight at that point. # 

At Ebenezer, Frederick county, after presenting the claims of the Jeru- 
salem gospel for three days, and in connection wtth it pleading for the 
union of Christians upon the Bible, in response to the appeal made for 



55 BIOGRAPHY OF 

action upon these pure and heavenly principles, thirty-four presented them- 
selves for union upon the divine foundation, with the prospect of the num- 
ber being considerably increased. 

In these meetings I have had the co-operation of brethren Pirkey, Sine 
and Saunders. On the second Lord's day in this month I have an ap- 
pointment to commence a protracted meeting with a Baptist congrega- 
tion — but not of the Jeter school. 

Fraternally, 

G. W. Abell." 

Shenandoah, August 18, 1857. 
Dear Brother Walthall: 

I am now in the beautiful Valley of Virginia. 

The Valley Co-operation held its session with this congregation (Walnut 

Springs). I was present during its session on Saturday. * * * * 

You will see a resolution inviting you to attend their next annual session 

and labor with them a few weeks. I hope, the Lord willing, you will find 

it compatible with your feelings and arrangements to do so. 

Our meeting is now in progress at Walnut Springs. After the discourse 
Sunday morning, three interesting young gentlemen came forward and 
made the confession, and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 
Congregations large, attentive and interested. The Lord grant that much 
good may be done. Up to this date (21st August) there have been four- 
teen additions at this place. 

The Lord bless you, my dear brother, in common with all his faithful 
servants. Meet me at as many of my appointments as you can. 

Your brother, 

G. W. Abell. 



Shenandoah, Sept. 19, 1857. 
Dear Brother Walthall: 

I am now closing my labors in the Valley of 

Virginia. Since my last there have been seventeen additions at Zion, five 

at New Providence, one at Mount Hebron; and two at Narrow Passage; 

making in all who have declared in favor of the truth, during my visit to 

the Valley and the adjacent mountains, eighty ; three. 

In addition to the brethren named in my former communications, I have 
also had the kind assistance of brother Jennings, of Edinburg. 

The good cause has suffered very much in this country from faction and 



GEO. W. ABELL. 89 

consequent apostacy. Had it not been based on eternal truth, ere this it 
must have entirely perished. But notwithstanding the fiercest opposition 
without, and the more destructive workings of faction within, it still sur- 
vives, and with proper exertions upon the part of the brethren, with the 
blessings of its divine Founder, it is destined to overpower all the forces 
of Satan, and make this lovely country, the garden of Virginia, tributary 
to the King of Heaven. The Lord roll on rapidly that happy period. 

Your fellow-laborer in the work of the Lord. 

G. W. Abell. 

Strasburg, Va., Sept. 17, 1857. 
J3r other Walthall: 

Dear Sir : — I have just parted with our amiable and efficient brother, 
G. W. Abell, at Edinburg", in our' beautiful Valley of Virginia. I have 
had the pleasure and advantage of his interesting society for several days 
past at his appointments for preaching, and I doubt not that it will be 
cheering to yourself and others who love the Lord, and who consequently 
rejoiced at the advancement of his kingdom, to hear of the success which 
attended the Word of the Lord as proclaimed by our untiring and perse- 
vering Brother Abell. He met with us at our Shenandoah Valley Co- 
operation meeting on Saturday before the third Lord's day in last August 
at Walnut Spring, where he preached twice a day until the following Fri- 
day, and then closed the meeting with fourteen additions. He created 
much interest upon the great subject of the Christian religion in the whole 
neighborhood. He left Walnut Spring alone for his appointment at Ebe- 
nezer, Hampshire county. 

On Saturday, before the first Lord's day in this month, he commenced a 
series of meetings at Zion, Shenandoah county, and continued until the 
following Wednesday, when he closed with seventeen additions. • 

On. the following Friday night he closed a series of meetings at New 
Providence, Warren county, with five additions. 

He then proceeded to Hebron, Frederick county, where he preached by 
request of the members of that church on the following Sunday, Monday 
and Tuesday, and added one more to the followers of the Captain of our 
Salvation. 

He then proceeded up the Valley, on his way to Bethlehem, Rocking- 
ham. What has been his success since we parted at Edinburg I cannot 
tell, but this I know, that he is instant in season and out of season ; that 



9Q 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



he preached publicly and privately, day and night, in conversation and in 
example, to saint and sinner, showing clearly, positively and prominently, 
by his humility, zeal and affection, by his fervent and constant labors in 
the vineyard of the Lord, that he has given himself up, soul, spirit and 
body, unreservedly, to his God. 

May the richest blessings of heaven rest upon him and his family, and 
may a long and healthy life be granted him who is so evidently useful, 
faithful and successful in the service of our glorious Lord and Master 
Jesus Christ. 

The cause of Christ, I think, is on the advance in the Valley, and it 
would no doubt improve rapidly had we such laborers among us awhile 
as we have had from the Eastern side of the Blue Ridge. Cannot you 
pay us a visit soon ? We would be glad to greet more of your evangelists 
on this side of the mountain. Please come on Sunday. 

Yours, in the service of Christ, 

John Pirkey. 

■ 

The Intelligencer of November 7, 1857, con- 
tains the following: 

At the time of our last issue a meeting was in progress at Gordonsville,, 
with three additions. Brother Abell, assisted by Brother Goss on Lord's 
day, continued the meeting another week, and it closed with eighteen ad- 
ditions to the church at that point. 



REPORT OF ELDER G. W. ABELL. 

To the Brethren composing the General 

Co-operation of the State of Virginia : 
Dearly Beloved Brethren : 

The time has arrived for me, as your evan- 
gelist, to make my eighth annual report. 

I. My first tour, commencing with January of the present year, was to 
meet a list of appointments in Spottsylvania, King & Queen and Han- 
over, but being met by the snow storm of that month at Spottsylvania 
Court-house, I was prevented from a further prosecution of these appoint- 
ments. While detained in this neighborhood by the above mentioned 
snow storm, the attention of the sisters was particularly called to Paul's. 



GEO. W. ABELL. 9 1 

prohibition to Timothy, and also Peter's, in his General Epistle, in regard 
to the wearing of jewelry and costly apparel. We would respectfully 
commend to our sisterhood the careful and prayerful reading of Judson's 
address to the sisters of the Christian congregations of America, as pub- 
lished in the August No. of the Millenial Harbinger, and afterwards 
copied in the columns of the Intelligencer, in which this whole matter is 
fully discussed. While thousands at home and abroad are perishing for 
the bread of life and the waters of salvation, it poorly comports with an 
effort at reformation to be squandering our Lord's money in indulgences 
contrary to his will. 

2. My second trip was to the counties south of James river, constitut- 
ing the South-eastern Co-operation, visiting and preaching in the counties 
of Amelia, Dinwiddie and Lunenburg. We are happy to realize a pre- 
diction made in our last report, in regard to this field. Where the specu- 
lations of materialism had blighted and withered everything, the cause is 
assuming a healthy aspect. We had interesting and successful meetings, 
and by a continued effort on the part of the brethren, the Truth, abused 
as it has been, is destined to triumph over all opposition, and become 
fully established in all this field. The month of March and part of April 
was spent in this section. 

3. My third trip was to our spring meeting, in Louisa, and from thence 
to Culpeper county, where I was met by our beloved Brother Walthall. 
Here is an inviting field for missionary effort. In the counties of Greene, 
Madison, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, 
upon the eastern base of the Blue Ridge, as well as others bordering upon 
them to the south, the Gospel as preached by the Apostles is scarcely ever 
heard. What a tempting field for the missionary of the cross of Christ ? 

4. My fourth trip, in company with Brother Walthall, was through the 
counties of Albemarle, Greene, Page and Madison. 

5. My fifth trip was into the north-east Valley of Virginia and the adja- 
cent mountains, visiting and preaching in the counties of Rockingham, 
Shenandoah, Warren, Hampshire and Frederick. This is a most excel- 
lent field for evangelical operations. The brethren are partially sustaining 
one evangelist, though one dozen might be profitably employed. We had 
interesting and successful meetings during this trip, and upwards of eighty 
were added to the cause. 

6. My sixth trip was. through the counties of Louisa, Orange and Albe- 
marle, the greater portion of which time was spent with the congregation 



9 2 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



at Gordonsville, where we had a good meeting, assisted by Brethren Goss 
and Walthall, and which I had to discontinue, in consequence of indispo- 
sition, at a very interesting stage. 

7. My seventh and last trip was to the south of James river, visiting 
and preaching in Cumberland, Amelia, Nottoway and Powhatan. 

In addition to these regular trips, I have also attended places adjacent 
to my present residence, in Fluvanna, Louisa, Albemarle and Nelson. 

In surveying the operations of the present year, with their results, we 
iave abundant cause to thank God and take courage. Many precious 
souls, despite all the opposition we have had to contend against, have been 
brought to submit to the mild sceptre of the Prince of peace. But much 
more is required to be done. The Macedonian cry is heard in every di- 
rection, "Come over and help us." The fields are already white for the 
harvest. The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are still few. The 
Lord of the harvest is holding forth the attractive reward of the crown of 
glory, that fadeth not away, to every one who will engage zealously in the 
work. The land stands ready waiting for us, if, in the strength of the 
Lord we will go up and possess it. Shall we not deny ourselves, and, by 
the grace of God, make a vigorous effort to further the great cause of our 
ruined race at home and abroad ? We have the promise of his blessing 
on such an effort here, and his everlasting approbation hereafter. About 
two hundred were added during the season. All of which is respectfully 
submitted by your Evangelist, 

G. W. Abell. 

Brother V. C. Ryals writes, that Brother Abell, oh his way to the Gen- 
eral Meeting, made five additions to the congregation at Booker's, and we 
learn that he and Brother Shelburne gained three at Bethesda during that 
meeting. 



Reports during the years 1858-9. 

Central Plains, September 18, 1858. 
Dear Brother Walthall: 

I suppose brother Dillard has given you an ac- 
count of the meetings which we held together in his field of labor. We 
had a very pleasant time ; renewed the acquaintance of many kind breth- 



GEO. W. ABELL. 93 

ren and sisters made in former days, and increased the circle with many 
more made during this trip. 

After leaving him, I held a meeting with the brethren at Pittsylvania 
Court-house. We had the best hearing we have ever had from that com- 
munity. A general turnout of the citizens, embracing the various reli- 
gious denominations, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians and Episco- 
palians ; treated very kindly by them all ; and though the matters at issue 
were fully and freely discussed, yet it was done with a friendly spirit, and 
we heard of but little censure, but much approbation. At this meeting 
there were nine additions, making in all, during the trip, some eighty-five 
or ninety. 

Your fellow-laborer in the Gospel, 

G. W. Abell. 

In November, 1858, brother Abell reported 
twenty additions as the result of a preaching 
tour in Hanover county. 

Tenth Legion, August 22, 1859. 
Dear Brother Walthall ; 

After leaving you in the mountains of Greene, 
where with joy we beheld "the truth triumphant" in the conversion of a 
score of souls, as well as the endorsation of a whole host of Baptists, I 
continued my labors in the beautiful little village of the Hawks-bill. 
Here again we had the pleasure of seeing "the truth triumphant." We 
had a very interesting meeting in the neighborhood of brethren Blosser's 
and Varner's. Here, you know, we have a faithful little band of brethren 
and sisters. The immediate results of the meeting were seventeen con- 
fessions, one reclaimed, one from the Baptists, and two united who had 
previously been baptized. This bright little valley, villaged all over with 
smiling habitations, together with its neighboring romantic hills and pic- 
turesqe mountains, is destined, by a proper effort, to become tributary to 
our King of Zion. The reformation of Luther, together with the refor- 
mation of Twingle, has followed the German population of this country 
from their native land to this of their adoption. But it will not do ; it is 
giving way, and must continue to give way, before that Gospel which, 
commenced to be proclaimed in the city of Jerusalem. 



94 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



From the little valley of the Hawks-bill, I have come to the great valley 
of Virginia, and for one week have been fighting the battles of the King 
in the vicinity of the Tenth Legion of old Rockingham county. Though 
laboring under considerable hoarseness and fatigue from other fields of 
labor, the Lord has again blessed us to a very considerable degree. There 
was formerly a small organization of Disciples at this place ; but, owing 
to deaths and removals, the number had been reduced to four, and the 
organization had been dissolved. The number, up to this time (the meet- 
ing not quite closed) has been increased to twenty-four. They have been 
re-organized, with brother Martz as elder, and brother West as. deacon. 
To their weekly meetings they propose joining a Sunday school and Bible 
class. They are anxious for you to visit them at this point. When you 
are in Page (where you ought to go as soon as you can), you are within a 
half day's ride of this place. 

This great valley possesses all the elements necessary to give it a stand- 
ing among the first places of earth. The rising population will be an 
intelligent race. Their minds have not deteriorated from the ancient 
German stock. It ought to be made subservient to the Lord of heaven 
and earth. By the grace of God, it can and shall be done. 

From this point, the Lord willing, I return home. 

By the way, I see my dear brother Crenshaw is murmuring on account 
of my absence from his part of the vineyard. Be quiet, my brother, 
*' murmur not," and when I have "no more place" in parts more destitute 
than yours, then, the Lord willing, I will be with you. In the meantime 
you are fully competent to speak the word of life to your perishing neigh- 
bors; and if they have a desire to throw off the bondage of Satan and 
take the yoke of Christ, they will be afforded all facilities for doing so. I 
have not forgotten that, although south of James river, you are neverthe- 
less in Virginia; and if you were not, I have not forgotten that the king- 
dom of Christ is only bounded by the limits of the earth. "The field 
is the world." 

G. W. Abell. 

P. S. — After writing the above, there was another confession. 



Stony Man, Page County, Aug. ii, 1859. 

-Dear Brother Coleman : 

Being requested by the brethren here, I drop 

you a few lines to solicit you to come up to the help of the Lord ; to the 



GEO. W. ABELL. 95 

help of the Lord against the mighty. Brother Blosser, especially, peti- 
tioned me to stir up your pure mind by way of remembrance of your 
repeated promises to visit them, and of your renewal of the same to him- 
self, and insinuated pretty strongly if you were not forthcoming, they 
might begin to think after awhile that you were somewhat " slack con- 
cerning your promises, as some men count slackness." They are anxious 
for you to visit them as soon as you can, from the state of things which 
at this time exists in their community. The people are stirred up to the 
investigation of the great themes of our holy religion. We are about 
closing up a very interesting meeting with them, of which I gave you 
some intimation in a private correspondence. There have been some fif- 
teen confessions (some three of whom have not as yet been immersed), and 
one from the Baptists. Of the above, there have been some from the fami- 
lies of nearly all the professing denominations hereabouts. 

Could not Brother Goss and yourself visit the people of Greene county ? 
It would be very desirable if you could. The Baptist Israel in that sec- 
tion are very anxious to see you both, and hear you concerning the faith 
for which they know you have both so long and zealously contended. 
You see from Brother Walthall's account of our meeting that the good 
cause is there lifting up its head. The Balaam's of the pulpit, and the 
Sanballats of the press may rage, but rage in vain they will, and if they 
expect to stop the progress of the truth in that quarter they " imagine a 
vain thing." God has said, "Let there be light," and light has dawned 
in many an honest heart where there is boldness and independence and 
nobility sufficient to dare maintain it. 

How grateful and humble should we feel that the eyes of our under- 
standing have been enlightened, and that we are honored, weak and feeble 
as we are, by the great Autocrat of the Universe, to hold forth his glorious, 
heaven-born system, to the poor blinded sons and daughters of the earth. 
How poor and contemptible, in comparison with this, to see our dying race 
bowing down to the idols of earth, worshiping at the shrine of human 
traditions, basely taking upon themselves the yokes of the doctrines and 
commandments of man." 

Your brother in the hope of the triumph of truth and the prevalence of 
Messiah's reign. 

G. W. Abell. 

. P. S. — Since writing the above, there have been three other additions, 
two by confession and baptism, and one reclaimed. 



g& BIOGRAPHY OF 

ANNUAL REPORT. 

To the Brethren Assembled in Co-operation : 

Beloved Brethren: — The time has again arrived for t us to make a 
report of our labors as evangelists, reminding us of the solemn and mo- 
mentous occasion when we shall all be called upon to render an account 
of our stewardship to the great Judge of quick and dead. May it be with 
joy and not with sorrow. 

1. My first evangelical tour, for the present year was through the coun- 
ties'of Orange, Spottsylvania and Caroline, spending, however, a good 
portion of the time of this trip in the town of Fredericksburg. This last 
place has been, and is still, a matter of much interest to the brotherhood, 
as it stands identified with the good cause for which we plead. We had 
larger congregations and better attention, with more interest, than we 
have ever had since the deplorable defection which signalized the down- 
fall of the Christian institutions at that place. Backed by so large and 
destitute a portion of country as it is, embracing all the counties bordering 
on the southern part of Maryland, it would be very desirable that the 
Gospel should be reinstated there upon a firm basis. I would respectfully 
suggest to the congregations of Spottsylvania and Caroline that some of 
their surplus funds might be well appropriated by sustaining a good, effi- 
cient evangelist in the town of Fredericksburg. 

2. My second tour, embracing the month of March, was through the 
counties of Louisa and Hanover, visiting and holding meetings at Bethany, 
Zion, Slash and Independence. 

3. My third trip, embracing a part of the months of April and May, 
was into the counties of King William and King & Queen. During this 
trip I had the company and co-operation of my colleague, our beloved 
Brother Parrish. The attendance upon our Spring Meeting was also em- 
braced in this trip. 

A part of the month of June was spent in my own county, in company 
with brother Parrish, who visited us, and labored with great acceptance 
both to the world and the church. 

4. My fourth trip, comprising a part of the months of July and August, 
was to the counties of Franklin, Henry and Pittsylvania. Here opens a 
vast field for labor and usefulness. Brother Dillard is the only acting 
Evangelist in this section, though there is room and work for the constant 



GEO. W. ABELL. 97 

employment of a full score. The large space of country east of the Blue 
Ridge, south of James river, and extending to the borders of North Caro- 
lina, taking in counties too numerous to mention, with the exception of 
three stated, and a few in the range of the South-eastern Co-operation, — 
the whole of this vast tract, with the small exception made, is without one 
single congregation based upon the truth confessed by the Apostle Peter, 
without one single herald \o lift his voice in favor of the Old Jerusalem 
Gospel. When the eyes of the churches are turned to the vast destitu- 
tion here, as well as in various other quarters of the state — added to the 
mournful strains of the Macedonian cry, everywhere rending the air with 
its plaintive notes — I say, these things considered, the churches should* be 
less disposed to call in and more disposed to send out their preachers, 
more disposed to murmur at their presence, and less at their absence. 

5. My fifth trip was through Albemarle, Orange and Louisa, preaching 
at Limestone, Stony Point and Gordonsville. In addition to these regular 
trips, requiring my absence some time from home, I have also, when 
abiding with my family, preached at other points adjacent to my residence 
and appropriate for missionary operations. I have also on several occa- 
sions supplied the place of some of our local preachers, especially of our 
long-tried and well-proven brethren R. L. Coleman, of Scottsville, and 
A. B. Walthall, of Charlottesville. 

6. My sixth and last trip was through the counties of Goochland and 
Hanover, terminating at Slash ^Cottage, Hanover. The number of addi- 
tions made at the meetings attended by myself, assisted, however, in most 
cases by the efficient co-operation of other brethren, has been about one 
hundred and twenty-one. In surveying the evangelical labors of the year, 
we have much cause of gratitude to render to the Father of all mercies. 
Additions may not have swollen our ranks to any great degree, but when 
circumstances are well weighed, the wonder is, not that we have had so 
few, but rather that we have had so many. In this matter, the case is very 
different with us and the remaining portion of the religious world. With 
them, the current of preconceived opinions, educational prejudices, and 
family bias, are all in favor of the work; with us, these mighty influences, 
potent in controlling the actions of men, are all in the opposite scale; so 
that, these things considered, a few additions made by us would outnum- 
ber many made by them. But while we cannot boast of numbers many, 
yet we have the consolation to know that prejudice is fast giving way, and 
notwithstanding the mighty efforts made by base misrepresentations to 



98 BIOGRAPHY OF 

block up the way and hinder the success of truth, yet the people are every- 
where becoming more and more disposed to hear, and with impartiality 
to try the issues between the traditions of men and the commandments 
of God : and to determine Avhat the result will be, if we will only do our 
duty, we have a sure earnest in the history of the past, in the hundreds, 
yea thousands, from whose minds and hearts the shackles of humanisms 
have been dissolved by the fire of Divine truth. 

But, my beloved brethren, much remains to be done, both at home and 
abroad, in our own happy land and on foreign shores. The accumulated 
weight of sectarianism at home, and the dark shades of idolatry abroad, 
poor, downtrodden, crushed, oppressed humanity, groaning under these 
evils, with powerful cries demand us to bestir our mightiest efforts and 
redouble our greatest diligence. This being done, the God of Sabaoth 
will crown with success our efforts here, and reward us with undying 
glory in the world to come. 

The additions made by the brethren whose places I filled, as stated 
above, are not communicated in the foregoing number. 

All of which is respectfully submitted by your evangelist, 

G. W. Abell. 



GEO. W. AEELL. 99 



CHAPTER IX. 

No report between the Fall of 1859 and the Spring of i860. A successful 
meeting in Hanover. Characteristic Incidents. Sketches of Brother 
Abell's Character and Life by Brethren Walthall and Coleman. Partial 
reports of his labors during the late civil war. 

WE have been unable to obtain anything 
like a detailed account of his labors for 
this year, i860. We have, however, received 
from various sources a general account of them. 
He was not idle during these months; bu^ on 
the contrary, was always at work in the cause 
nearest his heart. All who knew brother Abell 
know that he was ever busy in the cause of 
God and of man. Truth, the happiness of man, 
and the glory of God, were his constant objects. 
He could not be happy in any work that did 
not lead to religious destination. His soul, body 
and spirit were the Lord's; and all his work 
tended in that direction. 

Our country, at this date, was in much ex- 
citement. A civil war stared us in the face. 
Men thought of little else, and talked of little 
else. But brother Abell did not allow his zeal 



IOO BIOGRAPHY OF 

to cool, nor did he slacken his efforts to save 
men from sin and to confirm saints in the truth 
of God. In the Spring of i860 he was labor- 
ing in Hanover, at old Bethesda; and the writer, 
being Tide-water evangelist, united with him in 
the good work. My object was not so much 
to help him as to learn the great secret of his 
success in drawing sinners from darkness to 
light and from the power of Satan to God; and 
I so informed him. I asked him if he knew the 
secret of his success. In reply, he said: "It is 
of God, and not of man. First, the church 
must be converted; not a conversion from an 
* alien state,' but a conversion from coldness, 
worldly-mindedness and indifference to their 
own spiritual state and the awful state of the 
enemies of God. Second, they must become 
alive to their responsibility, obligation and rela- 
tion to God, to the church, and to the world. 
Third, I must. pray much and often to the Lord, 
for myself and the church, and must work in ac- 
cordance with my prayers, in visiting throughout 
the neighborhood, and in assimilating myself to 
the several conditions of all in the vicinity of my 
labors." 

After some further conversation upon the same 
subject, he said: "Now you can leave the room, 
and join the brethren and sisters in the parlor; I 



GEO. W. ABELL. IOI 

must be to myself for an hour or so before meet- 
ing." I # asked him, "Why?" He rejoined: "Be- 
cause I must look over the leading thoughts for 
this day's work, and ask the blessing of the Lord 
upon our labors." 

This meeting was a success. During its con- 
tinuance we sojourned with our hospitable bro- 
ther, John Mills. One morning, after breakfast, 
Brother Abell and I took a walk along a retired 
woods road, and in returning to the house, I, be- 
ing in the rear, ran up to him and slapped him 
on the shoulder, and said: "Now Abell, I'll beat 
you a foot-race to yonder graceful pine." He 
turned and looked at me with playful astonish- 
ment, and said: "Ah! you are a bad fellow." I 
bantered him again, but no race could I get out 
of him. But, on the contrary, he commenced 
talking of heaven. 

All these things indicate the type of his char- 
acter as a christian and minister of God. Man 
though he was, his "conversation was in heaven." 

TENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 

Beloved Brethren: 

I beg leave, respectfully, as your evangelist, to sub- 
mit the following as a report of my travels and labors for the evangelical 
year just now coming to a close. 

In consequence of affliction in my family, as well as the almost impas- 
sable state of the roads, I was detained at home until after the " breaking 
up" of the winter. I endeavored, however, to improve the time to the 



102 BIOGRAPHY OF 

best advantage by holding meetings in my immediate neighborhood, re- 
sulting in some success, and among *Qtners the conversion of our "first 
born." The feelings of a father will excuse the introductiontof this inci- 
dent in this place. 

1. My first regular tour from home was through the counties of Louisa, 
Hanover, King & Queen, Essex, Richmond, King William, York, War- 
wick and James City; holding meetings at Zion, Hanover; Rappahannock, 
Essex; Warsaw, Richmond county; Grafton, York; Lebanon, Warwick 
county; terminating with Olive Branch, James City, the seat of our spring 
session. 

[Upon returning home from the above trip, I was called upon to mourn 
the death of a father, and comfort the heart of a bereaved mother.] 

I neglected to state that in the foregoing tour I had the efficient co-ope- 
ration of our beloved Brother Ainslie. 

2. My second tour was into the county of Greene, in company with 
our beloved Brother Walthall, grown gray in the service of the King. 
Several weeks were spent in holding meetings in Stanardsville, the county 
seat of Greene, and its vicinity, resulting in considerable success to the 
good cause. It was during these meetings that Brother Creel (who has 
long and faithfully and successfully labored with the Baptist fraternity, and 
who loves the approbation of God more than the praise of man,) became 
identified with us, and through him as a link many of the Baptist brother- 
hood, who love the Word of God more than the commandments and tra- 
ditions of men. I have already, through a communication in the Intelli- 
gencer, called the attention of the churches in the Piedmont region to the 
propriety and importance of sustaining Brother Creel as an evangelist in 
Greene, Madison, Culpeper, and other adjacent counties. Should they, 
however, take no steps to this end, I would respectfully suggest to this body 
the importance of doing so. Parting with our beloved and faithful Secre- 
tary, (with different feelings, however, from those which operated on Abra- 
ham and Lot of olden times, or even on Paul and Barnabas of modern,) I 
proceeded to the county of Page, and thence to Rockingham, in' both of 
which I labored for several weeks, (the blessing of God attending,) with 
considerable success. I have also called the attention of the brethren to 
the great importance of having a vigorous effort made in this Canaan of 
Virginia, where the skill of Jehovah has been so manifestly exerted in ma- 
terial structures, to have the institutions of the Lord established before the 



GEO. W. ABELL. IO3 

galling chain of sectarianism shall have been riveted upon its favored in- 
habitants. 

I have likewise seen with pleasure the success in this section of the la- 
bors of my efficient colleague, Brother Parrish, as well as the local evan- 
gelist, Brother Pirkey. 

Since my return from the mountains and valleys, I have been laboring 
in the counties of Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa and Henrico. 

In surveying the field of labor, how deeply are we impressed with the 
applicability of our Master's words : " Lift up your eyes and behold the* 
fields already whitening for the harvest;" and "The harvest is plenteous, 
but the laborers are few; pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that 
he would send forth more laborers unto the harvest. v There seems to be 
a conviction resting upon the minds of many that we are on the eve of 
mighty revolutions, of wonderful changes. Let us, as the people of God, 
as the defenders of his Word and institutions labor, that imong these 
changes and revolutions may be reckoned the establishment of the reign 
of heaven in the hearts of many of our dying cotemporaries. 

In looking at the caption of this report, I am reminded, since you called 
me to this work, the sands of one-tenth of a century have been poured 
out; nearly one-third of our race have passed to " that bourne whence no 
traveller returns;" called to render up their last and final " report." Many 
of this very body are reckoned among this number ; others have been 
called to shed the tears of grief over the graves of their "sheeted dead." 
Brethren, though yet spared, we shall soon be called away. God is speak- 
ing to us in the most solemn accents, with the most impressive symbols, 
saying, " Be ye also ready." Warning and exhorting us to improve the 
privileges, the means, the talents placed at our disposal, committed to us 
as faithful stewards of the manifold blessings of God, that when we too 
shall be called to render our final report, it may be with joy and not with 
sorrow. 

That this may be the case with each and every one of us, is the sincere 
prayer of your brother and evangelist. 

All of which is most respectfully submitted. 

G. W. Abell. 



io4 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



Glade Hill, Franklin County, Oct 3, 1861. 

Dear Brother Par risk : 

Yesterday evening, about the time the sable cur- 
tains were dropping over the bedstead of earth, while sitting around the 
cheerful fire of the hospitable abode of our excellent brother and sister 
Brown, of Glade Hill, the arrival of some muffled strangers was an- 
nounced, and when the veils were removed, lo ! and behold ! the lovely 
#face of an old familiar and much-beloved friend, almost like one from' the 
spirit-land; for vainly for days and long weeks and months had we 
earnestly enquired of the sons and daughters of Jerusalem if they could 
tell us where the fair one dwelt whom my soul loveth ? But no one could 
give relief by answering the question. And we began seriously to appre- 
hend that, if not fallen upon some plain of Manassas, a victim to bloody- 
eyed Mars, the was at least in some far distant fort, the mock and sport of 
her cruel guards. But all these gloomy, melancholy, awful forebodings 
were dissipated into thin air by the light step and lovely approach of her 
almost angelic form. And then there were those same lovely, sparkling 
eyes, darting those same quivers of beams; that same beautiful counte- 
nance, (please excuse me, so glad was I to see her,) wreathed in those same 
enchanting smiles ; then, too, those fascinating tresses ; and, oh ! (when I 
so quickly entered into conversation with her,) the music of that voice far 
excelling the music of the spheres. And then when I asked her about that 
solemn vow she made to visit me as oft as Luna, the queen of night, 
filled and emptied her silvery cup, she muttered something about the war, 
the difficulties and expenses of traveling, &c, &c, and as sister Charity 
whispered in my ear 'forgive her,' I determined to' let the matter end just 
there. I must not tell you this was the Christian Intelligencer. But I 
recollect it was ordained by a statute of our last Convention that we 
should make a report through the Intelligencer of our operations at least 
once in two moons, and t as I see my last report is dated August 3d, and 
as to-day is October 3rd, the Intelligencer is just in time to allow me to 
comply with said ordinance. 

Well, while our armies in the Northwest, under Generals Wise, Floyd 
and Lee, and those on the Potomac under Johnston and Beauregard, and 
those in the Peninsula under Magruder and Hill, have been drawn up, 
and armed with their weapons of carnal warfare, to defend our frontiers 
from the invading foe ; to protect our families and earthly possessions. 



GEO. W. ABELL. IO5 

By the grace of God, under the great Captain of our salvation, who never 
was defeated, but ever leads on his victorious legions to victory and to glory, 
up in this land of hills and dales, and brooks and streams ; clad in the 
heavenly armor, with the sword of the Spirit, we have been battling for 
the glorious cause of the King ©f glory. At Pittsylvania Court-house, 
on White Hill, we had a long and severe engagement with the enemy's 
forces, commencing fourth Lord's day in August, and continuing, with 
but little intermission, through nineteen days and nights. The result was, 
the enemy's forces were completely routed ; about fifty-five of his number 
fell upon the field, slain by the Spirit's two-edged sword, and by the magic 
power of that same divine instrument, were made alive to God, and 
enlisted under the one-starred banner of the Babe of Bethlehem. 

The above was soon followed by another engagement in the Horse 
Pasture, commencing third Lord's day in September. This raged for 
about ten days, during which time the batteries of heaven, directed by the 
apostles of Christ, did good execution. When the din of the battle had 
ceased, and the smoke had cleared up, about forty-four were found willing 
to acknowledge the dominion of our rightful sovereign, some three of 
whom, owing to their ' tender age, we preferred, for the present, not to 
muster into service. 

For the last few days we have been engaged in some skirmishing here 
among the hills of Franklin, but we can't get the enemy here within the 
reach of heaven's artillery; they won't stand the divine fire; their very 
orthodox ears are too holy to be perforated with the balls of apostolic 
heresy. Nevertheless, a few noble spirits are found among them, and we 
have just returned from burying one such, with the honors of our divine 
warfare. We always appreciate very highly the few who have the cour- 
age to stand upon the field of battle when there is such a general spirit of 
fearfulness and cowardice pervading the masses. May the Lord preserve 
her; and may she soon have her beloved husband enlisted with her in the 
same glorious struggle. 

Do you ask me what I have done with my dear wife and children in 
these perilous times, while I am away here engaged in the service of the 
King? Well, I can't answer for our' officers in the Northwest, on the 
Potomac, or the Peninsula ; what they have done with theirs ; but I tell 
you what I have done with mine ; I have committed them into the hands 
of that God, whose I am, and whom I serve. And may he preserve them, 
with us all, unto his everlasting kingdom. 

Your fellow-soldier, G. W. Abell. 



106 BIOGRAPHY OF 

Franklin County, Oct.- 4, 1861. 

Dear Brother Parrish : 

I have been up in this country some five or six 

weeks, preaching in the counties of Pittsylvania, Henry and Franklin. 

About one hundred during that period, declared themselves upon the side 

of the Lord, and in favor of his word. To God, and the gospel of his 

grace, be all the praise. 

Yours fraternally, 

G. W. Abell. 
P. S. — Since writing the above, I have held a meeting at County Line, 
Henry county, embracing 1st and 2nd Lord's days in October, in which 
we succeeded in organizing the church, which had become disbanded, 
restoring the greater part of the members, and adding about thirty new 
recruits. May the blessing of Jehovah rest upon them; may they be 
instrumental in doing much good in that community, be faithful unto 
death, receive a crown of life, and to God and the word of his grace, be 
all the glory. Amen. 

G. W. A. 

Such information as could be gathered as to 
his labors during the war is now presented. The 
following report was found among his papers : 

ANNUAL REPORT. 

To the Board authorized to employ Evangelists, and 

the Disciples of Virginia, assembled in Co-operation ■.* 

Dearly Beloved Brethren: — Again duty enjoins us, as your 
agents, to render an account of our stewardship; and in connection with 
this, we should ever bear in mind that after awhile we shall have to 
render an account to Him who is the searcher of the hearts and the trier 
of the reins of the children of men. 

I. My' first trip, which was immediately successive to our last annual 
session, was into the county of Hanover, commencing our first meeting at 
Independence, in the vicinity of Ashland, the 2nd Sunday in November. 
This meeting was protracted through two weeks, with considerable inter- 
est, resulting in nineteen accessions. During this period we had some 



GEO. W. ABELL. IO/ 

special meetings for the soldiers, comprising General Kemper's brigade, 
then encamped near Taylorsville. We also had a good hearing from 
these soldiers at our regular meetings at Independence. We likewise 
preached for the citizens of Ashland. 

Leaving great interest in this section, with the desire and expectation 
of returning, I joined Brother Flippo at the Slash, the 4th Lord's day in 
November. Brother Flippo had been operating at this point for one 
week with considerable interest and success, and still remained a few days 
with me. This meeting was distinguished for several remarkable circum- 
stances ; among these may be noted the great interest taken in it by the 
brethren and the community in general ; and its protraction into length of 
time ; occupying altogether about six weeks, minus a few disappointments 
from bad weather, and closing with about seventy-five additions, and an 
interest equal to any that had existed, during its progress. During a 
portion of this meeting Brother McChesney had likewise conducted a 
meeting of considerable interest at Ground Squirrel, resulting in nine 
additions. I had the pleasure of co-operating with him during a part of 
this meeting, when I met on two occasions, our venerable and war-worn 
brother, Silas Shelburne, whose hoary head is ripening for a crown of 
never fading glory. 

2. Upon my arrival at home from the above mentioned trip, I was for 
some time confined at home from indisposition, resulting from cold con- 
tracted from exposure to the inclemencies of the weather. As soon as 
my health and circumstances permitted, I made a trip to Scottsville, 
Albemarle county, and spent a week of laborious service with the people 
of that community, with, however, very little apparent results. Fault- 
finding is the last work in which I wish to engage, and it is least in har- 
mony with my own feelings ; but as we are sent out by the churches to 
do the work of the Lord, and as we cannot do that work without the 
co-operation of the churches, and yet are held responsible for its. perform- 
ance, when we fail so to do, justice demands that the reasons should be 
given. While there, with all pleasure we acknowledge the noble and 
efficient co-operation on the part of a few of the members of the Scotts- 
ville congregation in the above mentioned meeting, yet, in all candor and 
the kindest of feelings, I am constrained to say, this is far from being true, 
in regard to the mass of the members. To the Lord they will have to 
render an account for their dereliction of duty. 

A portion of the beautiful and uncommon season of weather in. the 



108 BIOGRAPHY OF 

month of January I was compelled to lose from my evangelical labors, in 
endeavoring to make provision for the necessities of my family. 

3. My next trip was to Gordonsville, but the circumstances being 
unpropitious, I continued my course to Somerset, Orange county. Hard 
by this synagogue was encamped General Lane's brigade, consisting of 
the 7th, 1 8th, 28th, 33rd and 37th North Carolina Regiments. In this 
section I remained three weeks, preaching in camp and out of camp, to 
citizens # and soldiers ; and being seconded by the noble band of Disciples 
in this vicinity, as well as by some devout soldiers of the brigade, we had 
quite an interesting and profitable season, and times of refreshing from the 
presence of the Lord. The Confederate soldier, who had faced the 
implements of death in the hands of the Northern foe, bowed in humble 
submission to the sceptre of the Prince of peace ; and citizen vied with 
soldier in this good work. This meeting was broken into in the height 
of its interest by a movement of the enemy, and I again returned home to 
attend to some domestic obligations. 

The following sketch of Brother Abell, in his 
three-fold character, as a man, a christian, and a 
minister of the Gospel, was furnished us by Elder 
A. B. Walthall : 

As a man, he was courteous, confiding, honor- 
able ; as a christian, he was zealous, conscientious, 
humble; as a minister, he was impartial, ener- 
getic, untiring. In every department of his 
earthly pilgrimage, duty was his polar star. 
Through all the storms and vicissitudes of life's 
eventful voyage, he never lost sight of that guid- 
ing beacon. As a man, duty to his fellow man; 
as a christian, duty td the brotherhood; as a min- 
ister, duty to the Master, was, at all times, his 
watchword and his monitor. To this every other 



GEO. W. ABELL. IO9 

consideration was made to yield. Pleasure, pro- 
fit, enjoyment, ease, all must succumb to duty. 
He was wont to regard the Bible as the sword 
with which to vanquish the enemies of the Cross, 
and the Hymn book as the trowel to work the 
material of lively stones into the building. 
And because he had a mind to work — no dif- 
ference what the opposition, or the peril — the 
walls of Zion went up. 

He had a tender conscience and an earnest and 
adoring heart, and, like Stonewall Jackson, he 
always believed he would succeed. And that. 
Abrahamic faith, which believed contrary to hu- 
man testimony, and hoped against all human ex- 
pectation, was the secret of his success. He had 
faith in God, and that faith inspired him with en- 
ergy, strength and endurance. His heart was in 
the work, undivided and entire. 

I have known him to hold on, day after day, in 
a meeting, when everything seemed to portend a 
failure, and I have been surprised sometimes 
when he would say to me, "We will have some 
confessions to-night," and, sure enough, they 
came. When conducting a meeting in any given 
community, he felt it to be a matter of imperious 
duty to tender the boon of life impartially to all — 
to the downtrodden, as well as to the uplifted; to 
the culprit, as well as to the court; to the convict, 



IIO BIOGRAPHY OF # 

as well as to the executioner. Through the 
grated window of a jail, I have known him to tell 
its inmates, in burning words of love, that Jesus 
had died that they might live ; and in all earnest- 
ness, exhort them to trust Him for pardon divine. 
Nor would conscience give him rest until that 
duty had been discharged. He seemed to con- 
clude that the day had passed when pearls should 
not be cast before swine, and holy things given 
to dogs; or else that swine and dogs, in human 
shape, had become extinct a long time ago. 

Brother Abel! was endowed with great per- 
sonal courage, both physical and moral. We 
were once conducting a protracted meeting, with 
increasing interest, and consequently with in- 
creasing opposition. Brother Abell, as his man- 
ner was, had much to say to the discredit of 
the devil. He preferred heavy charges against 
him. He attributed to him the prevailing vices 
of the age. He charged home upon him the 
guilt of vilely slandering the children of God, 
and of putting obstacles in the way of the re- 
turning prodigal. 

We lodged, one night during the meeting, in 
the hotel of an afflicted brother, whose son-in- 
law was the active manager of the concern. 
After brother Abell and myself had retired to 
bed, we were startled by the noise of a terrible 



GEO. W. ABELL. Til 

fracas below.* In a moment he was up and 
dressing. Profane utterances, angry threats, 
mingled shrieks and cries of men and women, 
betokened perilous times for the advocates of 
truth. "All who will live godly in Christ Jesus,'* 
says Paul, "shall suffer persecution." Brother 
Abell started down. I called his attention to 
the danger below. "I am going to meet it," 
was his prompt reply; and down he went. 
When we entered the room, the afflicted bro- 
ther, who, earlier in life, had been remarka- 
bly active and dauntless, was in the scene, 
playing such a part, bounding from man to 
man, that he soon cleared the room of the 
dastardly set. For they were so amazed at 
his unwonted achievements, that they thought 
the better part of valor was to retreat. Mean- 
while brother Abell was engaged in allaying 
the fears and soothing the anguish of the dis- 
concerted ladies. The devil had determined to 
avenge himself upon the preachers and their 
coadjutors by an effort to break up the meet- 
ing; but he signally failed, for the meeting went 
on for days longer, and proved quite a success. 

On another occasion, in a different section 
of the country, we were again associated in a 
protracted effort to win souls for Christ. One 
night, a sister of a Methodist gentleman con- 



112 BIOGRAPHY OF 

fessed her faith in Jesifs, and desired to be 
planted in the likeness of the Saviour's death, 
that she might rise to walk in newness of life. 
Nine o'clock next morning was the hour for 
the burial. In due time the crowds were seen 
converging to the appointed place. As brother 
Abell and myself approached, a female voice 
was heard uttering a horrible tirade against 
brother Abell and his religion. It was the wife 
of the Methodist gentleman, venting her reli- 
gious wrath — always the hottest kind of ire. As 
we moved up, a brother said: "Brother Abell, 
don't mind what my neighbor-woman may say. 
The devil is in her this morning: she will be 
all right again when he leaves her alone." 

We arrived at the place in silence. After a 
short address and a prayer, brother Abell took 
the candidate by the arm and started for the 
water, some thirty feet distant. The ireful lady 
ran up, and grasping the candidate from behind, 
pulled with might and main to tear her away, 
vociferating fearfully against brother Abell and 
his doctrine. At this juncture, the Methodist 
gentleman, perceiving how ridiculous his wife 
was rendering herself, stepped up, unclenched 
his wife's grasp, and took her away. But no 
sooner had he let her go, than she snatched up 
a rock, and throwing it with all her excited 



GEO. W. ABELL. 1 1 3 

strength, struck brother Abell on the heel ere 
he reached the water's edge. The baptism 
over, we started on our return. I was just be- 
hind the enraged lady, when she declared that 
brother Abell had baptized a great sinner; "for," 
said she, "that girl has no more religion than I 
have — and everybody knows that I have none." 
"That," said I, "is quite evident, madam." And 
so ended that scene, in which brother Abell 
showed moral courage equal to the occasion. 
After it was all over, I said, rather jocosely, to 
brother Abell, "So the serpent bruised your heel, 
but I think you wounded his head." "I am sat- 
isfied with the issue," said he meekly, while a 
placid smile relaxed the tension of his facial 
muscles. 

In a little school-house in the pine woods of 
Fluvanna, we commenced a meeting on Satur- 
day, — had a small audience; continued Sunday 
with a large attendance. It was the beginning 
of harvest; Monday was court day; a recent 
rain had brought a season suitable for planting 
tobacco. The question came up, shall the meet- 
ing be continued? "Yes," said brother Abell, 
"all day to morrow." "But it is court day." 
"The women don't go to court," said he. "It is 
harvest time." "But if the men go to court, 
8 



I 1 4 BIOGRAPHY OF 

they will not cut wheat to-morrow, and the 
ladies can come to meeting." "Replant your 
tobacco before you start to court, and come 
back in the afternoon to the meeting," was the 
way he argued and prevailed. The appoint- 
ment was- made for all day meeting; and we 
had several confessions. The baptism was per- 
formed in a stream that flowed hard by, just' as 
the people were returning from court. "All 
day meeting to-morrow," said brother Abell as 
he came up out of the water, "and let all the 
people come and hear what the God of heaven 
has to say to the sons of earth." There was 
beginning to be quite a stir among the people. 
Misconceptions and misrepresentations were fast 
gaining currency. The next afternoon, baptism 
was again administered. A crowd was present; 
and brother Abell thought it a good time to 
meet and refute some slanderous reports that 
were on the wing. And before he left the wa- 
ter, having handed out the baptized, he called 
attention to the devil, as the author of the 
winged slander afloat. "Now, said he, "I am 
going to mark him right in the back, for when re- 
sisted, he always turns his back to you." Then 
calling up the rumors one by one, he pronounced 
them false and set them down to the devil's 






GEO. W. ABELL. 1 1 5 

account. That meeting was continued over the 
ensuing Lord's day; and more than twenty 
were baptized during the time. 

Illustrative of his habit of attributing an evil 
directly to the devil, instead of to some inter- 
mediate agent, take the following incident as a 
specimen: An acquaintance of his once charged 
him, rather warmly, with spending too much time 
away. from his family; to which he promptly re- 
plied: "The devil told me so before; but I did 
not believe him." 

I was told by elder J. W. Goss, who lived in 
Charlottesville at the time, that after brother 
Abell's graduation in Greek, at the University 
of Virginia, feeling some qualms of conscience, 
whether he was fairly entitled to that distinc- 
tion, he took his diploma to Dr. Harrison and 
begged him to take it back, which the Doctor 
refused to do; and brother Abell had to man- 
age the troublesome thing as best he could. 
And since he could not return the diploma, he 
set about to deserve it. 

He was a great student of the Bible. He 
read it in Hebrew and in Greek, in Latin and in 
English. He treasured up its golden thoughts, 
its life-giving truths, its gracious promises, and 
its rich rewards. In pressing its claims upon 
the acceptance of dying man, he was wont to 



Il6 BIOGRAPHY OF 

turn to good account the incidents and events 
of the current hour. While Lee's army lay on 
the Rapidan, watching Grant's on the other side, 
George Washington Abell was vigorously at- 
tacking Satan's host with the sword of the 
Spirit. A goodly number of South Carolina's 
gallant sons surrendered to Prince Messiah. 
As brother Abell descended into the water, pre- 
paratory to the burial of the slain ones, he 
touchingly alluded to the fact that these indi- 
viduals, following the example of the banner 
state, had nobly seceded from Satan's kingdom, 
and rallied to the banner of the cross. Then, 
solemnly immersing them and raising them up 
again, he invoked heaven's richest benediction 
upon them, and sent them back to camp. 

TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT. 

To the Disciples comprising the General Co-operation of Virginia ; 

Beloved Brethren : — Another evangelical year has transpired, the 
most eventful in the history of the present generation. It has witnessed 
the dissolution and downfall of one of the most splendid systems of 
human government ever erected in the wisdom of earth, and in its ruins 
we have another demonstration of the truth of the declaration, that 
" every human institution contains the seeds of self-destruction in itself," 
and the proof that we shall never have any system, stable and permanent 
upon earth, until "the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the 
kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the 
saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and 
all dominions shall serve and obey Him." 

I. After the adjournment of your last annual session at Bowling Green, 



GEO. W. ABELL. 1 1 7 

Caroline, I remained at that point a week or two, and in conjunction with- 
our beloved brethren, Parrish and Cutler, held a very interesting and suc- 
cessful meeting with the brethren there. 

2. My first trip from home was into Goochland county, to a place called 
Forest Grove, where, through the assiduity of Brother Parrish, in connec- 
tion with the zeal and liberality of a few devoted disciples, a comfortable 
house of worship had been erected, and a faithful little band of Christians 
collected. Our effort here, aided by our beloved Brother Alexander 
Bagby, was protracted beyond a week with interest and success. 

3. During the winter months I remained mostly at home, in conse- 
quence of the inclemency of the weather and affliction in my family. I 
made, however, an excursion to Charlottesville, Albemarle, during this 
period, and with Brother Cutler, the resident evangelist, made a protracted 
and successful effort at this point. We were also visited and assisted in 
this effort by our much esteemed veteran brethren, Coleman and Goss. 

4. My first spring campaign was into the counties of Louisa and Han- 
over, holding meetings with the brethren at Louisa Court-house, Slash and 
Bethesda, Hanover. Brethren Ainslie and Orvis were with me at Bethesda. 
The meetings at Slash and Bethesda were very interesting and successful, 
while that at Louisa Court-house was void of either. Taking these points 
for illustration, and without designing offence " to Jew or Gentile, or the 
Church of God," we would attribute the difference in the results of dif- 
ferent efforts at different points, not to the fact, that God is more partial to 
the people of one locality than to those of another, or that the gospel is 
more powerful at one place than another, but rather to the fact, that at 
some points the brethren are more disposed to engage with faith and zeal 
in the work. Much might be learned from considering the expression 
found in describing the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem : " So we 
built the wall, and all the wall was joined together to the half of it, for 
the people had a mind to work." Nehemiah iv. 6. 

5. My next expedition was through some of the counties south of James 
river, holding meetings at Paineville and Jetersville, Amelia county, and 
Zion, Dinwiddie county. At the meeting at Paineville I was assisted by 
our beloved brothers, McChesney and Crenshaw. (I failed to mention 
that I had the cordial and zealous co-operation of Brother McChesney in 
our very interesting meeting at Slash, Hanover, whose hospitable abode I 
made "headquarters" during that effort.) Brother Crenshaw also assisted 
me in my Jetersville meeting. The success of these meetings was only 



u8 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



partial — the meeting places located at points adjacent to railroad depots, 
along which companies of armed soldiery were continually passing, the 
war-fever raged to a considerable extent. While it is but natural and 
proper that we should feel an interest in a struggle in which are involved 
our dearest temporal interests, our property, lives and liberty; neverthe- 
less, this should not absolve us from our obligations in connection with 
another and more important struggle, a struggle for eternal life, for ever- 
lasting liberty. 

6. My next tour was through the counties of Albemarle, Greene and 
Page, into Shenandoah, holding meetings at Stanardsville, Greene county, 
Zion, Strasburg and. Walnut Springs, Shenandoah county. Some of this 
time was expended in preaching to the militia, draughted from several of 
the surrounding counties, and encamped in the vicinity of Strasburg. In 
these meetings I had the assistance of the evangelist for this district, our 
beloved brother Pirkey. Brother Jennings, of Edinburg, was also with 
me at Zion. Here our success again was but partial. The spirit of Mars, 
with his warlike operations, was very much in the way of the operation of 
the Holy Spirit of God. 

7. My seventh and last excursion was into the counties of Pittsylvania, 
Henry and Franklin, holding meetings, at Pittsylvania Court-house, Horse 
Pasture and County Line, Henry county, and Glade Hill, Franklin county. 
At Pittsylvania Court-house I had the assistance of our beloved brethren, 
Motley and Wicker. These were among the most interesting and suc- 
cessful meetings I have ever attended. I trust that much permanent good 
has been accomplished, and the good cause firmly established at those 
points. 

In closing this report, as well as in its beginning, the times that have 
fallen upon us will justify me in indulging in a few reflections. Under 
our old government we had been a highly favored people, equal if not su- 
perior in favors and blessings to any people upon the face of the globe. 
But we too lightly appreciated those privileges and blessings ; we were too 
unmindful of the kind hand whence they flowed. Like Jeshurun of old, 
"we waxed fat and kicked" — corruption in State and Church stalked 
abroad like hideous monsters. The whole head was sick, the whole heart 
faint, the whole body was full of wounds and bruises and putrefying sores, 
from the crown of the head to the soles of the feet. There was not a suf- 
ficiency of the salt of sincerity, honesty and godliness to preserve the mass 
from death, decay and dissolution; especially was the God of Righteous- 



GEO. W. ABELL. ,119 

ness displeased with the exaltation of wicked and corrupt men to the high 
places of power, the causes working out their legitimate effects, under 
which the people are now groaning. War, pestilence and famine, the 
mighty scourges of an incensed God, are resting heavily upon them. In- 
stead of abating our efforts to build up righteousness in the land, if ever 
there was a period which demanded every effort to be put forth for the ac- 
complishment of this end, now is that time. Nothing but the Gospel of 
Christ, as preached by his -own divinely inspired Apostles; the belief, ac- 
knowledgment and obedience to the truth, that Jesus is the Christ, the 
Son of the living God, will ever roll back that mighty tide of evils which 
have so long deluged our fallen race, and which are now so fearfully sweep- 
ing over us. Let us then, my brethren, redouble our efforts to bring the 
world to acknowledge and submit to the claims of the Prince of Peace, 
whose mild scepter is yet to be extended to earth's remotest bounds, under 
whose peaceful dominion all the tribes and kindreds and tongues of earth 
are to be bound together by the bond of a common faith, and cemented by 
the ties of a universal love; when the swords shall be beat into plough- 
shares, the spears into pruning hooks, the war clarion hung up in the hall, 
no longer by its martial notes to stir up the passions of revenge and hatred, 
and thirst for blood in the bosom of humanity, and men shall study the 
dark and bloody and cruel scenes of war no more. O ! God of all peace 
and consolation, hasten on that happy period, and may we bear some 
humble part in its blissful inauguration. 

All of which is most affectionately and respectfully submitted by your 
evangelist, 

G. W. Abell. 

P. S. — The number of additions, embracing the different orders usually 
reported, confessions, baptisms, reclaimed, reformed, &c, &c, as exhibited 
by my memorandum, is three hundred and thirty -six. 

G. W. A. 

FOURTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 

To the Disciples of Virginia, assembled in Convention : 

Dearly Beloved Brethren : — Through the kind preservation of 
a merciful Father, whose providence extends to the falling of the little 
sparrow, and the numbering of the very hairs upon the heads of all his 
chosen people; amid carnage, bloodshed, destruction; the falling of thou- 
sands of our countrymen; the blasting of millions of fond and cherished 



120 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



hopes ; we are still sheltered beneath the shadow of the Throne of eternal 
ages. With everlasting obligations to Him who sits upon that throne, I 
beg leave to submit to you, respectfully, my fourteenth annual report. 

1. Pursuant to a plan adopted through the suggestions and advice of 
my best friends and brethren, and approved by my own convictions of 
duty and propriety, I spent the greater portion of the last winter in and 
about home, embracing such opportunities as presented themselves, for the 
accomplishment of good. 

2. Owing to the excessive wet weather, and consequent bad -condition of 
the roads, I was not so early in beginning the spring campaign as I should 
otherwise have been. My first essay was a- visit to Charlottesville, over a 
road some parts of which were almost impassable. Here on Lord's day 
we had a good congregation, good attention, and one confession. From 
Charlottesville I proceeded to the neighborhood of Stony Point, intending 
to begin a meeting at that place, but was disappointed in this by an insu- 
perable blockade of muddy roads. I then ' resolved upon a meeting at 
Gordonsville, but the elements again interfered by the fall of considerable 
snow. Thwarted in all my efforts, I resolved upon a retreat homewards. 
This I successfully accomplished ; but found myself so much worsted that 
I was compelled necessarily to lose more time from the field. 

3. My next effort was into the counties of Cumberland and Powhatan; 
visiting and holding meetings with the brethren at Booker's and Corinth. 
At these points the Lord was with us and blessed us, and we had good 
and successful meetings. 

4. My next trip was through the counties of Albemarle, Louisa and 
Orange, holding meetings at Stony Point and Gordonsville. The brethren 
realized in these meetings the propriety of heeding .the admonition, " Be 
not weary in well doing; for in due time you shall reap, if you faint not." 
The prospects were not very flattering at their beginnings; but they had 
very successful terminations, many precious souls being added to the 
church. At the former point we had the association and co-operation of 
our old faithful friends and brethren, Goss and Coleman; and at the lat- 
ter, in addition to them, the old gray-headed veteran, A. B. Walthall; 
also, our Brother Holland, the successful agent for the evangelizing sys- 
tem ; and Brother Perry, who during these meetings united with us from 
the Baptist fraternity. The converts at Gordonsville were made up from 
three classes — citizens, refugees and soldiers. These meetings, some of 
them, were held during the period of the raids of the enemy through the 



GEO. W. ABELL. 121 

adjacent counties. We were endeavoring, in the strength of the Lord, to 
make a raid into the territory of his Satanic majesty, and add new laurels 
to the. glory of our mighty Hero. ' 

5. Next I made a tour into the counties of Goochland, Louisa and 
Hanover; holding successful and interesting meetings at The Octagon, 
Perkinsville and Forest Grove, in Goochland. In these meetings I had 
the kind co-operation of our beloved brother, Alexander .Bagby. The 
Tabernacle at these points, like that of David, had well-nigh fallen into 
ruins ; but with the blessing of the Lord, under the fostering care of Bro- 
ther Bagby, aided by the co-operation of the brethren and sisters, I trust 
it may again be reared up and flourish. 

6. Immediately succeeding these meetings, I likewise held a meeting 
at Wilmington, Fluvanna, my adopted county, with some success. 

7. My last campaign, in which I am now engaged, has been through 
the counties of Buckingham, Appomattox, Campbell, Pittsylvania, Frank- 
lin', Henry, some of the border counties of North Carolina, and to Patrick 
Court-house; holding meetings of interest and success at Pittsylvania 
Court-house, and vicinity; at different points in the region of Snow creek, 
Franklin county; at different points in Henry county; in Rockingham 
and Stokes, North Carolina; and at Patrick Court-house, where I am at 
present conducting a meeting of much interest. 

The latter meeting, at Patrick Court-house, was broken up in the midst 
of its interest by the sorrowful tidings from home, of disease and death 
in my family. 

Thus closes my labors for this, the fourteenth year of my services for 
this body. I am again reminded of the numbers who have fallen among 
us during that period, over whose biers we have been called to shed the 
tear of sympathy ; not only privates in the ranks, but also, officers, stand- 
ard bearers in^this consecrated host; elders, deacons and evangelists. 
And now that chair, so long and faithfully filled by one dear to many 
here, and many not here ; presiding, with so much affability, impartiality, 
fatherly kindness, over our deliberations; that chair, with silent but elo- 
quent strains, tells us that Pichegru Woolfolk, no longer our President, 
has gone to join the general assembly and Church of the First Born, whose 
names are written in heaven. God support the afflicted family, and 
though we shall no more meet him here, the Lord grant, that when our 
labors shall have closed, our pilgrimages ended, we may all meet with 
him, and all the. redeemed, in the house of our Father and our God. 



122 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



All of which is respectfully and affectionately submitted, by your bro- 
ther and evangelist. 

G. W. Abell. 

P. S. — Number of additions, embracing the classes usually reported,, 
about two hundred and thirty-six. 

Brother R. L. Coleman, in an article written 
for publication, but, changing his mind, sent to 
the compiler of these pages, says: 

The writer does not wish to interfere with 
the task devolved upon another of preparing 
the biography of. Brother Abell; but, sustain- 
ing the most endearing relations to him for so 
many years, and knowing that he reciprocated 
the love borne towards him, the writer could 
not feel satisfied without speaking of his worth 
and loveliness, and of letting Brother Abell's 
family see that he sympathizes and condoles 
, with them as one who really feels how great a 
loss we have all sustained. 

For 'about twenty-five years after brother 
Abell was introduced into the field as a general 
evangelist, he occupied a prominent position as 
a worker in the Lord's harvest. For about 
twenty-five years did he pursue the most de- 
voted, the most untiring and indefatigable course 
of labor and toil. It is truly wonderful what 
he did and what he endured. We are of the 
opinion that he baptized more persons during 



GEO. W. ABELL. . 1 23 

twenty-five years of his life than any five preach- 
ers in the state of Virginia. 

Far be it from Brother Abell's loving and ad- 
miring friend to endeavor to make the impres- 
sion that the subject of this notice was perfect 
or infallible. A knowledge of the estimate he 
placed upon himself while living would rebuke 
such an idea. He knew and felt that he was im- 
perfect and liable to err, and that he did err. 
His hopes of eternal life rested upon the mercy 
of God, through the Lord Jesus Christ; and so 
deeply was he impressed with a sense of his own 
unworthiness, that he was thereby led to exercise 
great forbearance towards others. Indeed he 
seemed to carry this feeling too far, and some- 
times failed to exercise proper discipline — hoping 
against hope, that transgressors would reform. 
Some persons also thought he erred in baptizing 
too many people. It, perhaps, would have been 
better if he had sometimes been more careful in 
the reception of candidates; but. when it is borne 
in mind that the blessed Saviour compared the 
gospel to a drag net cast into the sea, in which 
both good and bad were enclosed, and then when 
it is considered how often Brother Abell cast the 
net and what numbers were enclosed therein, it 
is not strange that some among the multitude 
have proved unworthy of the kingdom of heaven. 



124 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



Some have condemned him for staying so much 
from home, and thereby neglecting his family. 
It is very difficult to decide to what extent a 
husband and father is justified in absenting him- 
self from home. The demands of the cause and 
various other circumstances must be considered. 
One thing is certain, he dearly loved his wife and 
children; and when his appointments had been 
met, he hastened home, sometimes leaving as soon 
as the night meetings closed, and like a bee, sought 
the shortest route to reach the hive. Never did 
one hear of his lingering when his work had been 
accomplished, showing that, after responding to 
the calls of duty, there were no attractions for 
him greater than those of his home. The state 
of the case seems to have been this: he loved 
his wife and he loved his childen; but he loved 
the blessed Saviour more than he loved father or 
mother, brother or sister, wife or children, and he 
could not be content to stay at home and fail to 
plead His blessed cause. 

About twelve years ago the writer visited him 
at his home in Fluvanna county, Virginia. It 
was during the war; the country was greatly 
afflicted, and gloomy was the prospect before us ; 
and many of the preachers as well as most of the 
people were more concerned about secular than 
about spiritual interests. But neither peace nor 



. GEO. W. ABELL. I 25 

war, prosperity nor adversity, heat nor cold, 
could draw Brother Abell from his work. He 
had just returned from a seven weeks' tour. 
There was but little corn in the crib, the mules 
were poor, and Sister Abell, with a young baby 
in her arms, seemed depressed and discouraged. 
Seizing a favorable opportunity, she entered into 
conversation with the writer about domestic 
affairs, and requested him to persuade Brother 
Abell to stay more at home. During this trip he 
had baptized a hundred and one persons. It 
seemed to be wrong to advise a man who was 
accomplishing so much good, to cease his efforts, 
and yet it looked hard-hearted to disregard the 
feelings of a wife, who desired the company and 
assistance of her husband in those trying times. 
When about to leave we said to him, " Brother 
Abell, Brother John Smith, of Kentucky, said he 
believed that he was called to preach the Gospel, 
and he also believed that he was called to take 
care of Nancy and the children ; farewell." The 
Lord knows whether he erred or not. We are 
convinced that Brother Abell desired and en- 
deavored to do what was right. May the bless- 
ings of the Almighty Father rest upon his wife 
and children. 

When we think of his sound health, his 
strength and activity, his traveling in all weath- 



126 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



ers and in all temperatures, preaching day and 
night, it seems impossible for us, who are so far 
away, to realize that G. W. Abell is dead. And 
is that stalwart frame now mouldering in the 
grave? Shall we "see his face no more" in this 
world? Blessed be God for the hope of im- 
mortality — for the prospect of seeing and know- 
ing one another in another state of being. Shall 
we not all strive so to live, that we may meet 
him in the presence of the Lqrd, where there is 
fullness of joy, and pleasure forevermore? Who 
will take his place on earth? Who will emulate 
his high example ? Oh! Lord, raise up holy and 
able men, we beseech Thee, to plead Thy cause 
in dear old Virginia. 



in 



Brother L. A. Cutler furnishes us the follow- 
y incident: 



An anecdote related to me by Brother Goss 
will illustrate the spirit of Brother Abell. On 
his way to Gordonsville (during the war) to 
hold a meeting, he was passing through a 
farm road in order to save distance, when, 
after having gone half way, he was hailed by a 
gentleman, who told him that' it was against 
orders to go through that field, — "Well," said 
Brother Abell, "I did not know that." "You 
must go back," said the gentleman ; "but I'm 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 27 

half way through now, and it is a long ways 
back and round the road, and I'm in a hurry 
to reach Gordonsville." "Can't help it; you 
must go back." " I will put up the fences, and 
shut the gates." " Can't go through ; you must 
go back." "Well, I'm going to Gordonsville 
to hold a meeting, and will preach at nights. 
Come down to the meeting." "Can't do it; 
don't believe in night meetings." "Well, come 
if you can, my friend; you ought to obey 
the Gospel." "What's your name?" "Abell." 
"Abell! Abell!! Any kin to old uncle Johnny 
Abell?" "Yes; I'm his son!" "Boy, run and 
pull the fence down for Mr. Abell. Go through 
Mr. Abell. I will try to come down to your 
meeting." The sequel to this incident is, that 
he did go, and Brother Abell baptized him and 
his family that week. 

The following private letter to his "dearest 
Mollie," reveals very plainly, not only his abiding 
trust in the Lord, but his affectionate disposition 
as a loving husband and devoted father : 

Jackson, November 16, 1864. 
My Dearest Mollie: 

The grace of God is still with me. After leaving 
you, with many tender thoughts of yourself and my dear children, I pro- 
ceeded on my way. I wrote to you from Palmyra, and I presume you 
attended to the matters referred to in my note. I spent the night with old 
Brother Captain Shepherd; dined the next day with Brother Waddy, at 
Thompson's Cross-roads, and spent the night with Brother Bagby. Sun- 



128 BIOGRAPHY OF 

day we commenced our meeting in this neighborhood, at Salem. Brother 
McChesney was there on Sunday, but left Sunday evening. I spent the 
night with him at Brother Tyler's. So I am here, looking to the Lord, 
praying to Him for his blessing upon me, and preaching the word of the 
Lord to the people, and using all the means in my power to induce 
them to come to Christ. We have had four confessions. May God in 
his infinite mercy bless them,, and enable them to be faithful unto death, 
and may very many more be added to the number. 

Since getting to this neighborhood I have learned that they have deter- 
mined to hold the Co-operation meeting at Louisa Court-house. It com- 
mences to-morrow, 1 7th. It rather comes in the way of my arrangements. 
I am not certain that I shall attend. If the people remain interested here, 
I rather think I shall remain here. I always think it right to remain 
where I seem to be doing good. Still, I should like to be there, to consult 
with the brethren to know what I had better do, for still I am uncertain. 
But we*must look to the Lord, and do the best we can. These hard times, 
we must all of us make up our minds to deny ourselves of everything we 
can do without, save all we can, pay our debts, and trust to God, and look 
for better times. If anything should happen, important for me to know, 
you had better write to Louisa Court-house, as well as the other places, as 
I might get there. 

I trust, my dearest wife, you are getting along right well with your 
affairs, in the house and out of the house : that God is with you and bless- 
ing you. You must look to Him, and trust in Him, and not be dis- 
couraged, for he promises to be with all those who trust in Him. You 
better look' at the memorandum I left you, every now and then, and see 
how they seem to be going by it. Give my love to all. Kiss our dear 
children for us. Tell them to be good children. My respects to Mr. 
Richardson and the neighbors. If you have not heard from the hogs, you 
better send one of the boys to see about them. I hope you have heard 
from the children, and that they are all well. 

I cannot tell you what my arrangements will be. I shall endeavor to be 
governed by the indications of providence. I send you another envelope 
for Montpelier; but you had better write to all the places named, in case 
there should be anything of special importance for me to know. Make 
them- pay especial attention to the horses, especially Jim; physic him, and 
rub him well, or they will lose him. You must excuse my bad writing, 
as the paper is so mean I can hardly write on it. Farewell, my dearest 



GEO. W. ABELL. 



129 



wife. May God bless you and preserve you, and all our dear children, 
and especielly our poor boy in the army. O, God, take care of him. 
Pray for your dear husband, and may we meet in due time is the sincere 
prayer of your Husband. 

P. S. — Nov. 18. — Dearest Wife: Still preaching at Jackson's; twelve 
confessions and baptisms. Good bye; God bless and preserve you all. 
Your devoted husband, A. 



130 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



* CHAPTER X. 



Brother Abell employed in preaching to the army and teaching school 
from the winter of 1863 to the winter of 1864. Resumes evangelizing 
work in the spring of 1866. His eighteenth annual report — 1867. His 
horse falls and breaks his leg. His remarkable character portrayed in 
his patience and perseverance under this affliction. Resigns his position 
as evangelist in May, 1868. 



IN a letter from sister Abell, she says: "During 
the winter of 1863, Mr. Abell acted as chap- 
lain to a JMorth Carolina brigade on the Rapidan; 
and his labors were blessed with great success. 
During the summer of 1864, he was engaged in 
preaching to citizens and soldiers. In January, 
1865, he went to Waynesboro, Augusta county, 
to see our son Johnnie; and a few days after get- 
ting there, he succeeded in getting him a permit 
to come home for thirty days; but Mr. Abell re- 
mained with the army, preaching to them when- 
ever he could get an opportunity. But he was 
taken very sick from exposure. After he recov- 
ered, he returned home; but continued to preach 
until the surrender. But now everything was in 
confusion, and we had no money, nor any means 



GEO. W. ABELL. I3I 

of getting any, so he concluded to go to Colum- 
bia, Fluvanna- county, and teach a five-months 
school. He continued to preach whenever he 
cpuld get an opportunity. When this school 
closed, he came home and taught another school 
for five months." 

In the spring of 1866 he resumed evangelizing. 

EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 

Fluvanna, August 27, 1867. 

Beloved Brethren: — My last report, owing to some irregularity 
in the mail, failed to reach Dr. Hopson, who was then chairman of the 
board of evangelization; and consequently he had not the data at com- 
mand from which to present to you a full statement of my labors for the 
current year, ending with your annual session at Richmond, last Septem- 
ber. I was prevented from attending this session in consequence of the 
interest existing in the field in which I was then laboring — Henry and the 
adjacent counties. 

After returning home from these counties referred to, I made a visit to 
King William, where I labored in different parts of the county some five 
or six weeks, having the kind assistance and co-operation of brethren 
Hopson, Duval, McChesney and Henley. These meetings, we trust, re- 
sulted in great and permanent good, as we are assured by kind corre- 
spondents from this county. 

From this last trip, I returned home and retired into winter quarters. 

Having labored faithfully in Virginia for seventeen years, with only one 
week's absence from her borders during that period, at the close of Feb- 
ruary, with the approbation of some of the chief men among us, I de- 
termined to make a visit to the brethren of Kentucky. This trip exhausted 
the months of March and April, the former of which, together with a part 
of the latter, was very unfavorable for preaching operations. I made many 
interesting acquaintances among the brethren and sisters during this visit, 
and only sighed that in Virginia the good cause is so far behindhand in 
comparison with Kentucky. 

After this trip, I was confined at home some time in consequence of an 



132 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



operation performed on my eye in Cincinnati. As soon as I could travel 
after this, I made a tour to the south-western portion of our state, preach- 
ing principally in the counties of Pulaski,»Montgomery and Craig, holding 
interesting meetings at various points in these counties, and assisted by the 
preaching brethren of these localities, Shelor, Hawley, Showalter, Gibson, 
Huffman, Dr. Bullard and his son William. 

Since returning from this last trip, I have been holding meetings in this 
(Fluvanna) county, the last of which was at Goshen, in c6nnection with 
brother Coleman. 

In conclusion, there are some matters of general interest to which I 
would respectfully call the attention of the brethren; and 

I. In regard to the colored population, I find from the minutes of the 
last session that the following resolutions were introduced by brother Par- 
rish and passed without a dissenting voice : 

" I . That sound policy and Christian philanthropy make it the duty of 
Christians to instruct the colored population in the duties and principles of 
the religion of Christ. 

" 2. That it be hereby recommended to such of the churches as have 
not already initiated the good work to establish special Sunday schools for 
the instruction of such of the colored people as may desire to be taught." 
I heartily endorse the spirit and letter of these resolutions, and have 
endeavored to act in accordance with them; and with the blessing of the 
God of all nations, the effort has not been a failure. I cordially commend 
these resolutions to all the brotherhood, and earnestly recommend that 
they be carried into execution. 

II. I find the wants and desires of the brethren are being put into a 
very tangible form for the establishment of a paper as a medium of com- 
munication. I earnestly recommend to the brethren assembled in conven- 
tion to take some immediate steps for the inauguration of a sheet adapted 
to the exigencies of the case. 

The number of persons, embracing all classes, who have declared in 
favor of God, his word, and the union of Christians upon that word (in- 
cluding some not embraced in Dr. Hopson's synopsis of my labors at the 
last session, because of his failure to receive my report), at the meetings 
attended by myself during the current year now ending, is, according to 
my memoranda, five hundred and eighteen. 

All of which is respectfully submitted by your evangelist, 

G. W. Abell. 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 33 

Christiansburg, Dec. 6, 1867. 
My Dear Brother Parrish: 

After leaving you at the conclusion of our 
very interesting meeting at Gilboa, Louisa county, prosecuting my journey 
homeward, Monday morning, before daylight, my horse fell with me, 
catching my left leg under him, and so badly crushing it, that although I 
have since traveled some hundreds of miles, I have not as yet been able 
to walk a single step upon it, or scycely known an hour, day or night, free 
from pain. Had I been engaged during this aforesaid week in what was 
of doubtful propriety, or on the morning of the casualty been traveling 
the forbidden path of folly, I should have been disposed to regard this 
misfortune as a special judgment from heaven. But as to the manner in 
which this week was spent you are witness ; the people about Gilboa are 
witnesses, and, above all, God is witness that it was devoted to the glory 
of God in the salvation of men ; and certainly it is right for us sometimes 
to visit our families, and seek to provide for our own, especially those of 
our own household. Amid the many afflictions through which I am 
called to pass, I have the consolation that " those whom He loveth He 
chasteneth, and scourgeth every one whom He receiveth." Thus believ- 
ing, I seek in penitence to "kiss the hand that wields the chastening rod," 
and endeavor to exclaim in true contrition of soul, " Though Thou slay 
me, yet will I trust Thee," for "whom have I in heaven but Thee, and 
there is none I desire on earth besides Thee." 

When with you, you requested me at my convenience to furnish you 
for " The Christian Examiner''' a synopsis of my year's operations. I 
may truly say, to me it has been a year of trial, toil, labor, affliction, and I 
may add, with gratitude and thanksgiving to God, a year of success. 

March and April, carrying out a purpose I had long cherished, I spent 
with the Disciples of Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio. Here I expe- 
rienced what I was prepared to expect, the fruits of much generosity, hos- 
pitality and Christianity. The exceptions found in some few souls of a 
picayune stripe are unworthy to be mentioned. It was during this trip the 
affliction of my eye bore most heavily upon me. 

My second tour was to the south-western portion of our State, the region 
of the labors of our brethren Bulhard, Shelburne, deceased, and others. 
Upon this trip, in addition to the affliction of my eye, I suffered excruci- 
ating pain from a bad carbuncle upon my neck. Satan afflicted Job with 



134 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



sore boils. He has made the improvement in my case to substitute car- 
buncles. Mercy, no more than justice, increases with his years. 

Upon my return to what had been my home for some eleven years, Flu- 
vanna county, I devoted some special attention to the religious instruction 
of the freedmen, which, under the blessing of God, was attended with 
considerable success. I am sorry to say that the whites in this latitude, to 
a very great degree, are more devoted to the commandments of men than 
to the doctrine of Christ, so that reluctantly I have been compelled to act 
toward them as Paul of old : " Seeing^ ye deem yourselves unworthy of 
eternal life, lo! we turn to others." 

After attending our Convention at Louisa Court-house, with the scenes 
of which you are conversant, I made a tour to the great Shenandoah Val- 
ley of Virginia, visiting and preaching at many places in that valley and 
the contiguous mountains, renewing the acquaintance of many fond breth- 
ren and sisters, whom we had known in former years, and not a few of 
whom we had been the humble instrument in bringing to the obedience of 
the faith. Here, in conjunction with other brethren, we made the effort 
to unite the old Christian fraternity with the Disciples of Christ. Partly 
for the want of good faith with some, and partly through the teaching of 
others, the work has been delayed; but it is bound to be accomplished 
finally, for if is not more true that good seed falling upon good ground, 
properly prepared, and subjected to proper influences, will produce good 
fruit, than that those with clear heads, sound minds, honest hearts, when 
having had a good opportunity to hear and understand the word of God 
will receive it. Sectarian and other Satanic influences may for a while 
retard it, but it must finally triumph. Despite the devil, the prayer of 
Christ will be answered — His people must be one. 

After my return from this Valley trip, we held our Gilboa meeting in 
conjunction, where we held sweet counsel together, and walked to the 
house of God in company. 

Let me congratulate you, as well as myself, upon the bright prospect of 
" The Christiati Examiner" soon with pinions spread to soar abroad. 
Success to yourself and Dr..Hopson in the good enterprise. You will 
have much work, and that of a Responsible nature to do. Among other 
things, it may not be out of place to give the brethren some modest hints, 
that when they engage a man to leave 1iis family and devote the whole of 
his time to proclaiming the gospel, with the assurance that he shall be com- 
pensated and his family provided for ; when they come to settle their other 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 35 

accounts, comply with their other promises, they ought not to forget the 
poor preacher altogether; that hay, and corn, and pork, and flour, and 
clothing, and education, cost the preacher about as much as they do other 
people : and that he has to pay for them, do without them, or suffer his 
credit to be impaired. It is a good maxim, well to be remembered by all, 
" Owe no man anything." I presume this would embrace the preachers 
as well as others. As a people, our theory is "justification by works, and 
not by faith only." In practice, horribile dictu, it is too often said, de- 
part, be ye warmed and filled, notwithstanding the wherewithal to fill and 
clothe are generously and liberally withheld. The faithful preacher leaves 
home with all its endearments, labors and toils for the Lord; his wife and 
children are turned over to the cold charities of an unfeeling world, while 
his brethren are zealously pursuing the various avocations of life. Breth- 
ren, don't forget the Scriptures: "The laborer is worthy of his hire." 
" Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn." The Lord 
has ordained that they who "preach the gospel shall live of the gospel." 

With the aid of other kind brethren, whose names are worthy of in- 
scription upon the true scroll of fame, we have been instrumental during 
the year in organizing about seven congregations upon the " Bible and the 
Bible alone," and in bringing some five hundred and eighty-six persons to 
the acknowledgment of the truth; to which numbers, the Baptists have 
contributed very largely. 

Hoping soon to see the fair face of the Examiner, and hear from you 

through that channel, I am, with much Christian respect and affection, 

your co-laborer in the good cause of Christ. 

G. W. Abell. 



Sister Abell, in speaking of his fall, as above 
referred to, says: "The nth of November, 1867, 
he was riding horse-back before day to get home, 
where we wefe waiting for him to start to Taze 
well county, when his horse fell and broke his 
right leg, between the knee and the ankle; as the 
horse rose, he rose on him, and rode five miles to 
Dr. Anderson's, who set it, and put him in his 



I36 BIOGRAPHY OF 

carriage and sent him home. He got home 
about dark, and rested tolerably well that night. 
He insisted on starting the next day, as we were 
all ready packed to start to Tazewell. We tried 
to keep him from going, but he thought he could 
undergo the fatigue; so we put him in the car- 
riage, and we all started, I with an anxious and 
aching heart. We were on the road about three 
weeks, having traveled from Fluvanna county to 
Tazewell, and thence to Montgomery, when we 
rested at Snowville, Pulaski county. And though 
my dear husband had been jolted over rough 
roads with his broken leg, on Lord's day after 
our arrival at Snowville, he had himself propped 
up between a table and a chair, and in that situa- 
tion he preached to the people." 

Brother Abell, in many respects, was a remark- 
able man. He could endure more cold, more 
heat, more rain, more wakefulness, more hard 
mental and physical labor, and more pain of body 
and of mind than any man known to his biogra- 
pher. When he slept, he was asleep indeed, and 
when awake, he was "wide-awake." But his de- 
termination of character was too great for his 
strength ; it prompted more work than he could 
endure. He looked upon the body as only the 
house — the tent, in which the "I"— -the real "self" 
was to sojourn, the instrument with which the "I" 




GEO. W. ABELL. 1 37 

was to work for God, truth and fallen man. He 
did not consider events as mere chances, and 
hence he seldom used the words "happen " and 
" luck ;" but he believed that God in mercy sent 
blessings and afflictions, and. would often quote 
these words: "What I do, thou knowest not now, 
but thou shalt know hereafter." He was a man 
of that type of faith which brings man near to 
God. In speaking of praying, he would remark: 
" I. wish to have a little humble talk with God, for 
he is near to all who call upon him." He acted 
and spoke as if in the real presence of God. He 
once said, "God is here; he sees me; he is close 
by in his gracious power; therefore, nothing hap- 
pens to me, I have no luck; and yet I have the 
honor to be like my Lord — 'a man of sorrow, and 
acquainted with grief.' You take pleasure in joy- 
ous things, and so do" I, but I also have much hap- 
piness in afflictions and in sorrows. All things 
work for the good of the children of God, — they 
are either sent directly by him, or he permits 
them to be sent. Therefore, I have joy in my 
afflictions." But the reader will see more of this 
living, trusting, Job-like faith and patience in 
words written by himself, — a better index of his 
mind than the words of another. 



1 3& BIOGRAPHY OF 

Christiansburg, March 23, 1868. 
Brother Parrish : 

I have been endeavoring this winter, yet not I, but the 
grace of Christ which was within me, to set in order the things which 
were wanting in this region, and to do all the good I could, with as little 
harm as possible. The congregation, meeting alternately at Auburn and 
Edgemont, which had become very much demoralized by the evils insepa- 
rably connected with the war, and become almost a wreck, has once more 
been placed erect upon its feet, its numbers increased to some thirty-five 
or forty, with a fair prospect of still further increase. They have now a 
Bible class at each house, with which will soon be associated a Sunday 
school; and under the eldership of brethren John and Hugh Gipson, with 
brethren Parrish and Sylvers as deacons, all good and discreet men, and 
especially under the oversight and with the blessing of the great Bishop 
of our souls, we trust and pray it may be the instrument of great good. 

I have also visited and preached at Snowville. There have been some 
fourteen accessions at that point. The brethren there have a flourishing; 
Sunday school, a good, commodious house of worship in process of com- 
pletion ; and with the discreet and prudent administration of its elders, 
the assistance of its local preachers, and especially with the peaceable, 
orderly, charitable lives of its members, we trust this band of Christian 
soldiers will go onward and upward in their bloodless conquest. We 
have just closed a very interesting meeting at brother Ammen's school- 
house, Some three miles from Snowville ; eighteen confessions, including 
one at Snowville. The brethren will organize at that point at once, under 
very auspicious omens, with about forty members, brethren John Gipson 
and T. Whit acting as elders, brethren Ammen and Hezekiah Whit as 
deacons. A building committee has already been appointed to make ar- 
rangements for erecting a house of worship; and a Sunday school is to be 
opened first Lord's day in April. In these labors I have been kindly as- 
sisted by brethren Shelor, Hawley, Showalter and Gipson, «the local 
preachers of this section, all good and true men; and although all of 
them have not enjoyed the same advantages of education and information 
that the favored of earth have, yet they have the love of God and devo- 
tion to his cause burning in their hearts; and they deserve and demand 
the prayers and sympathies of all the disciples (much more than their 
criticisms, cold and cruel). 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 39 

The great equinoctial battle having been again fought, after having 
been so often fought before, and victory perched upon the banner of light 
instead of darkness, I must now be hastening to my assigned field of labor 
in the Piedmont region. A few days after this shall have passed over the 
iron road, I expect, the Lord willing, to follow, preaching at Lynchburg, 
Lovingston, thence to Charlottesville, Stony Point, Stanardsville, Rochelle, 
&c, &c, as circumstances and Providence may seem to indicate : and 
may God go with me, and be with me, and bless us all; and may much 
good be accomplished, the churches edified, many souls converted, and 
the name of the Lord Jesus glorified, and his cause advanced, is the sin- 
cere and fervent prayer of 

Your brother and co-laborer in the Lord, 

G. W. Abell. 

Charlottesville, May 2, 1868. 

Charlottesville was the scene of my actions in days that have long 
since passed. Among the hills in its vicinity I was born and reared, over 
those hills I roamed and sported in the days of my boyhood, and they 
still possess to me an enchantment that no other spot on earth has. 

As I anticipated, I enjoyed a pleasant time in this town, surrounded by ' 
the most beautiful scenery that earth possesses. It was here, some twenty- 
eight years ago, that I became identified with the Disciples of Christ, 
upon the principle of the union of Christians upon the foundation that 
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. But ah ! how changed the 
church now from what it was then. A goodly number who then occupied 
their seats in the house of worship, participating in the praises of God, 
and sharing in the symbolic memorials of a Saviour's love, have retired 
from these scenes, and sleep in the embraces of a Redeemer's bosom. 
Some of these old veterans still remain, ever present at their posts of duty, 
to cheer and encourage with their presence, and link the days of the 
present with the past. God help them to be faithful, and receive the 
victor's crown. Others have changed their locations; some apostatized, 
turned Judases, and gone over to the devil; others have changed their 
religious associations. They are all in the hands of a just God, who will 
most assuredly mete out to them what is right. 

I made as my headquarters, while here, the hospitable abode of my 
brother in the faith, A. Pope Abell, and spent many seasons of refresh- 
ment with him and his very kind, affectionate family. If there is any 



1 40 BIOGRAPHY OF 

man upon earth, out of my own family circle, nearer and dearer to my 
heart than another, it is this brother. In addition to the strong and en- 
dearing ties of flesh and blood, born of the same father and mother, ex- 
ceedingly liberal and kind to me and mine, he has likewise been born of 
the Spirit, and has enstamped upon his character much of the image of 
Christ. 

We visited together the tomb of our common and revered father, and 
read upon the slab that covers all that's mortal of him, the words, II 
Timothy, i. 12, selected by himself as the text for his funeral discourse, 
and so expressive of his Christian character: "For I know whom I have 
believed, and am persuaded he is able to keep that which I have com- 
mitted unto him against that day." Hard by the tomb of the old patri- 
arch, and awaiting the sound of the archangel's trumpet, lie others of our 
family, and among them the son of my brother, a brave, noble, generous 
hearted young man, of twenty-two years, who fell like many others of 
similar type, a victim of our late Confederate struggle. This has left a 
chasm in the heart of the family which time can never heal. But we 
cherish the fond hope of meeting him in that bright world where there is 
no din of battle, no clash of arms. 

Here also I met with our beloved brother Coleman, one of the old 
pioneers in this glorious cause for which we are contending, who has 
grown gray in the service of the King, and who is ripening for a blissful 
immortality. Called on as a witness to an unfortunate rencountre 
which terminated in the death of one of the parties, and to a part of 
which he chanced to be a spectator, we were pleased to see the high ap- 
preciation in which he was held by the citizens of his native county, by 
the very great respect with which his testimony was regarded, and the 
manner in which his character was referred to. How true it is that a 
good man is to be preferred to much riches. I also, had the pleasure of 
meeting him with his very intelligent and accomplished wife, who, at a 
great sacrifice and with wonderful facility, has adapted herself to our 
present surroundings, and thereby given the most satisfactory demonstra- 
tion of possessing the best qualifications of being — what is the greatest 
boon ever vouchsafed by heaven to earth — a good wife. 

And, as though blessings were never to cease, we have also met with 
our zealous and devoted brother Bullard, with his very amiable and Chris- 
tian companion, en route for his field of labors in the Tide-water region. 
He tarried with us one night, giving us an excellent and thrilling dis- 



GEO. W. ABELL. 141 

course from the last invitation in the sacred canon, and sharing with me 
in the Christian hospitalities of my brother Alek, and then in the family 
circle, passing through happy and affecting scenes, which will be remem- 
bered by us all to the latest days of our existence. The visit of brethren 
Coleman and Bullard and wife was highly appreciated by my brother and 
family, and has established a chain of affection between us. all, which 
earth, nor time, nor death can ever sever. 

But lest I should be over wearisome, I must close. O, brethren, how 
sweet the thought of meeting all the choice and noble spirits in that 
deathless land, where there will be no severing of the tender cords which 

bind us here. 

G. W. Abell. 

Stony Point, May 17, 1868. 

I have been disappointed two we*eks in reaching this Stony Point. 
This must be my apology to my friends and brethren at Standardsville 
and Rochelle for not visiting them as I expected and desired. 

Upon Monday evening, fourth of present month, May, by the kindness 
of our kind-hearted and liberal Brother Beck, whose hospitality I have 
since enjoyed, I was conducted from Charlottesville to this place, and 
commenced our meetings on the next evening, which have continued 
since, though a good deal hindered by the bad weather up to this time, 
1 6th May. 

The church here unfortunately, like many others, had become very much 
demoralized by the terrible civil struggle through which the ship of 
State has passed, and by which both Church and State have become well- 
nigh wrecked. By observation and consultation with brethren, we be- 
came convinced the better policy would be to have a reorganization. This 
we have accordingly accomplished. All the faithful ones have been, or 
will be restored in this. Those who have it in their hearts to serve the 
devil, 'by this arrangement will also have a convenient method of getting 
formally into the world, which we have advised them to do, that, like 
Judas, the especial apostle of all such cattle, they might go to their own 
place. This is the original neighborhood of the Goss family. Here lived 
and raised his family, and died the old patriarch, Elder John Goss, an ex- 
cellent preacher, a model of a man, in all the various relationships of life, 
possessing the unbounded confidence of all his neighbors, who looked up 
to him as a father and a counseller, in whose "sound and mature judg- 



1 42 BIOGRAPHY OF 

merit" they could implicitly rely. An old-fashioned Virginia gentleman, 
whose hospitable abode was an open tavern to all, and especially to the 
"household of faith." With his beloved consort, in every respect a 
"help-meet for him," meek, amiable, charitable, devout, he reposes from 
his labors, until the great Messiah shall again come to bestow upon him 
his reward. Often did he, with my own dearly revered father, in better 
days than these, stand shoulder to shoulder in the great work of man's 
redemption. I heard him state, beneath my father's roof, the text which 
carried conviction to his heart. With a smile that played upon his cheer- 
ful face, which I shall never forget, he stated these were the convicting 
and converting words : " All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as 
the flower of the field ; the grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth 
away, but the Word of the Lord endureth forever; and this is the word 
which, by the gospel, is preached unto you." Though but a child, I sup- 
pose, some forty years ago, its impression, nor the incident connected with 
it, has not faded from my early memory. God grant that all his children, 
and all those descended from them, may follow his example, imitate his 
footsteps, and attain to that eternal life which will be his reward. 

On the old family 'farm is the residence of his son, our beloved brother, 
and especial friend, James W. Goss. He has thought, owing to the strin* 
gency of the times, that duty to his family demanded that, for a time at 
least, he should desert his smiling home and native State, and take up a 
temporary abode in another land. Thousands of fond hearts call him 
back, and it is fondly hoped that his own love for the endearing associa- 
tions of his childhood and manhood will incline him to heed the call. 
May the richest blessings of heaven attend him and all his loved ones 
wherever in the providence of God their lots may. be cast. 

In this region also is the residence of our old friend and brother and 
fellow-soldier, R. L. Coleman. In his retired mountain retreat, sur- 
rounded by his very interesting, intelligent and accomplished family, his 
"children, like olive plants round about his table," he has an excellent 
field for cultivating his disposition, to contemplate the power and wisdom 
and goodness of God. But I am rather disposed to think that he should 
regard the voice of God to Elijah, in his mountain retreat, as somewhat 
at least applicable to himself: " Elijah, what doest thou here?" For while 
there may not be a Hazael for him to anoint king over Syria, nor a Jehu 
over Israel, yet the Lord has work for him as well as for all of us to do ; 
" the harvest is still plenteous, and the laborers are yet few," and with all 



GEO. W. ABELL. 1 43 

the love which he has, and deservedly has, for "lizzie and the children," 
he should commit them to the care of the great Preserver, and seek the 
reward of those who forsake all for Christ. God give him grace and 
strength in his old age and declining years so to do, and throw the tender 
mercies of a Father's care around those so dear to his heart. 

We have also had a visit during this meeting from our beloved brother 
Creel, who has lent the force of his clear and logical powers to further the 
interests of the good cause. Brother Creel is indeed and in truth a Na- 
thaniel of a man, an Israelite, in whom there is no guile. Nor does he 
put on his silk or kid or velvet gloves to do his work, nor has he learned 
to " daub with untempered mortar," but with merciless hands he raises 
the ponderous sledge, which falls with mighty force upon the stones of 
error, which crumble beneath the mighty blow. Brother Creel is among 
the very few men with whom I have met, who, unaided by any earthly 
guide, but directed by the light of heaven, discovered fr«m the Word of 
God that baptism to the believing penitent is "for the remission of sins." 
This doctrine, for a number of years, he preached among the Baptist fra- 
ternity, where he would have been now with many other faithful, honest- 
hearted men, if he, with them, had only been permitted untrammeled to 
declare the "whole counsel of God," as proclaimed by the apostles and 
evangelists, with "the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven." But Brother 
Creel, like Brother Coleman, is not doing the work he ought to do. The 
churches should call out such men, provide for their families, and send 
them forth to do the work of God. 

Our meeting closed here to-day, 17th May, with fourteen confessions, 
this added to thirty-one, who had been baptized, makes forty-five for the 
beginning of the reorganization. May God bless and greatly increase 
their numbers. 

G. W. Abell. 

Cincinnati, May 23, 1868. 

Brother Dr. Jos. Pendleton, President of " The Piedmont Co-operation .*" 

Having felt myself called upon, in the providence of God, to under- 
take a mission for the benefit of the poor, white and colored, in South- 
western Virginia, and other parts of the South, I hereby tender to you, 
and through you, to the brethren constituting the Piedmont Co-operation, 
my formal resignation as your evangelist. 

Having so long labored in this and the adjoining sections as your evan- 



144 BIOGRAPHY OF 

gelist, and having been the humble instrument, under the blessing of the 
Lord, in bringing a goodly number into the kingdom and patience of 
Christ, and having secured so many tokens of love and respect from so 
many in this field, I need not say that this act of formality will not by any 
means sever those numerous ties which death itself cannot break. 

Hoping now and then at least to visit those parts where I have so fre- 
quently endured the heat of summer, and the frost and storms of winter^ 
and labored by day and by night in the good cause of redemption, and 
had my heart cheered by those, whose hearts, in my weakness, I have 
sought to gladden, by leading their loved ones to the cross of Christ; and 
desiring to return to you, and through you to the brotherhood, my sincere 
thanks for their many kind favors to me, and to offer to the Father of all 
mercies my heartfelt prayers for His richest blessings upon you all, I am, 
with much respect and sincere Christian affection, 

• Your brother in the Lord Jesus, 

G. W. Abell. 

P. S. — Having regularly and fully reported my labors to you through 
the columns of the Examiner, since my last appointment at Louisa Court- 
house, September, up to my closing meeting at Stony Point, Albemarle 
(an account of which has been forwarded to Brother Parrish), and regard- 
ing any further publication of them a work of supererogation, I shall de- 
cline so to do. 

G. W. A. 

He wrote this resignation, because he had 
heard that some were complaining of the liberty 
he had thus taken. It was a very ungenerous 
complaint, and he so thought, but he was deter- 
mined "to take heed, lest by any means this 
liberty he had taken became a stumbling block 
to them that are weak/' So he resigned. 

Mansfield, Ohio, June 2, 1868. 
Dear Brethren Hopson and Parrish : 

I will presume so far as to suppose 
that yourselves, in common with some others of the Virginia brotherhood* 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 45 

and sisterhood, will have at least some disposition to know what has be- 
come of our old ex-evangelist, brother G. W. Abell, and what he is doing. 
Well, brethren, I am away up here in Ohio, on my way to Cleveland, 
situated on one of the little pools of our Father, lake Erie. And what is 
he doing? Looking out for the interests of the favorites of the Lord. 
What ! the favorites of the Lord ? ! Yes ! the favorites of the Lord ! ! 
Why, I thought God was no respecter of persons ! True ! But he is a 
respecter of character, and a respecter of condition. And well would it 
be for the world, yea, thrice well would it be for the church, if man, like 
God, were no respecter of persons. "Hearken, my beloved brethren, 
hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the 
kingdom which he hath promised to those that love him." I am endeav- 
oring to raise means to have the long-standing miracle perpetuated in our 
own dear sunny South, namely, " the poor have the gospel preached to 
them." 

Well, and how are you getting on ? Just as well as I could expect, and 
better than a great many of Job's comforters told me I would. I find 
here many kind hearted brethren and sisters, whose hearts burn with 
devotion to God and his cause, who are Christians, who are philanthro- 
pists, who not only profess to feel for the suffering wants of downtrodden 
humanity, but who are also willing to put their hands into their purses, 
and, so far as they are able, to assist in relieving and alleviating these suf- 
fering wants. I need not, to brethren like yourselves, of noble, expanded, 
and generous sentiments, of liberal modes of thought and reasoning, who 
have not been confined to our narrow, contracted spot of earth, nor need 
I to intelligent readers like yours, deliver a discourse against a little, 
mean, narrow, contracted, sectarian view of the kingdom of Christ. You 
are all too well posted on those points ; knowing that in this kingdom there 
is no north, no south, no east, no west, no geographical, political or civil 
phases of the question, to divide, distract, or influence us; that its benevo- 
lence, its philanthropy, is as broad as humanity, embracing in its broad 
and extensive arms every individual, of every nation, kindred, tongue and 
clime; that the grand object of the great author of this divine institution 
is to form one common brotherhood of all the families of earth, cemented 
by a common faith and a holy love. 

I hope my numerous and beloved brethren and sisters of Virginia, 
whom I love, and love the more in my separation from them, and whose 
claims upon me I acknowledge, will receive these few lines in lieu of 

10 



I46 BIOGRAPHY OF 

personal communications which they, in their partiality (which I duly 
appreciate), have demanded at my hands. 

Promising to report progress as I proceed, praying the richest blessing 
of God upon the state of my nativity, the home of my boyhood, the 
scenes of the labors and toils and sacrifices of my manhood, and the grave 
of my hoary head, I am, as ever, brethren, yours with a brother's heart 
and a brother's love, 

G. W. Abell. 



GEO. W. ABELL. 1 47 



CHAPTER XI. 



Correspondence of Brother Abell with the Brotherhood in Virginia, 
through the Examiner, from June, 1868, to November, 1869. He de- 
bates with a Methodist. D. A. Snow's account of this debate. 

WE conceive it better, in sketching the life 
of a man, to allow him to speak for him- 
self, than to attempt to give our opinions of him 
and his views. Hence, when we can find his 
views expressed by himself, we introduce them 
with pleasure : 

Wellsburg, June 20, 1868. 
Brethren Parrish and Hopson : 

The victory of light over darkness has 

this day been pushed to its greatest extremity; from this period darkness 

will begin to rally and drive back the bright legions of light, nor will her 

dark battalions halt before the mighty struggle on the ever-memorable 

23d September, when victory will perch upon the standard of darkness. 

But ere the bright forms begin to retire, I consecrate the auspicious day, 

to devote a few lines to the Examiner; but you might begin to suspect 

that amid the snorting of the iron-horse, the rattling of the street car, the 

eternal din and confusion of business, I had forgotten to remember my 

first love of my old and tried Virginia brotherhood. 

You must excuse me for not giving you a minute description of my long 

and diversified trip, reserving this for my autobiography, which, however, 

I never expect to write, unless by chance I should become cursed with a 

rather greater degree of what is called "posthumous parvu" than I now 

possess. But having just returned from Bethany, while the events con- 



1 48 BIOGRAPHY OF 

nected with that memorable spot are still green upon my memory, I will 
endeavor to transmit some thoughts and reflections connected with it to 
my friends of the old mother State. 

On Saturday, 13th instant, I arrived at this place, which may be re- 
garded as the depot of Bethany, and about I o'clock P. M. took the hack 
for the latter. If I were, even in my own imagination, gifted with the 
powers of description, I would assume the pencil of the artist, and endea- 
vor to give you a picture of the beautiful, grand and variegated scenery, 
through the midst of which the well graded road from Wellsburg leads to 
Bethany. As though in love with the btautiful, limpid, meandering Buffalo, 
this thoroughfare for the passenger seems to be trying to emulate the grace- 
ful curves of its. pellucitf rival, at the same time permitting the enraptured 
traveler to feast his eyes on the loveliest displays of the skillful handiwork 
of the great and the good, artist. The slightly sloping precipice, covered 
in its beautiful green leafy robes, overhanging the lovely stream, stands in 
eternal and striking contrast with the beautiful valleys and sloping hills, 
that seem to lie sleeping all around in their silent but expressive beauty. 
We seem to be conscious that such a road must terminate at a goal more 
than ordinary. 

At about three o'clock, under the guidance of Brother Lauck, who 
holds an humble, yet a very important station at Bethany, we arrived 
at the place that will ever stand associated with the great religious Refor- 
mation of the nineteenth century. We made . as our head-quarters while 
here the beautiful, smiling and hospitable abode of our old, highly appre- 
ciated Eastern Virginia acquaintance, friend and brother, the accomplished 
President of Bethany College, W. K. Pendleton. The kind, affectionate 
treatment which we received at the hands of himself,, and his very amiable, 
accomplished and intelligent better half, although all the. while thronged 
with business cares and company, was just such as we might have antici- 
pated from a Virginia gentleman of the old stamp and first type, and a 
companion "fit meet for him," to an old friend, wearied, way-worn, from 
the dust and toils and labors of many a hard-fought battle. May they re- 
ceive a fit reward when " The King of kings comes." 

What a charm does the power of intellect and great moral movements 
exert vrpon localities ! What would ever have been known of Bethlehem, 
the house of bread, if He, who was to be the Ruler in Israel, whose 
goings forth have been from old, even from everlasting, had not been born 
there! And. Bethany, with its beautiful and romantic scenery, would 



GEO. W. ABELL. 1 49 

never perhaps have been known beyond the shadows of its own majestic 
hills if Alexander Campbell had not selected it as the home of his pil- 
grimage. Long and often had I desired to visit this place during the life 
of this greatest and best of men ; but having been deprived of this great 
privilege, in the providence of God I have been permitted to do that which 
is nearest akin to it, and that is to go and stand by the tomb of the great 
hero, the great man, the great reformer of the nineteenth century. As I 
stood beside that grave, surmounted by the green turf, surrounded by the 
beautiful evergreen, head and foot marked by a plain, uncarved plank, I 
thought, here lies in peaceful quietude the mortal remains of the man who 
once moved and swayed and led the multitudes of earth. 

What a sad commentary on the blindness and depravity of earth, that a 
man raised up by the special providence of God to do a great work; to 
call the attention of the world from the doctrines and commandments of 
men, and fix it upon the ever-living and abiding oracles of God, should 
have received at the hands of so many as a reward for his great and good 
work vituperation, slander, misrepresentation, persecution and abuse. But 
notwithstanding the devotees of party, the advocates of earth made sys- 
tems, have raised the puny hand of opposition, urged on by envy' and jea- 
lousy, yet the name of Alexander Campbell is consecrated in the hearts of 
thousands of the pure lovers of God and his Word, as the great deliverer 
of the world, under the providence of God, from the bondage and thral- 
dom of human superstitions and idolatries ; and upon the page of the im- 
partial historian he will live immortalized and associated with the great 
Reformer of the sixteenth century, while the dwarfs and pigmies who have 
assaiLed him with such ruthless violence will have Been forgotten, or only 
known as the advocates of party tenets and human dogmas. Then, mighty 
hero, sleep on from the toils and labors of thy many hard-fought battles," 
until thy Master shall appear, and then, with His own immortal hands, He 
will place upon thy brow a crown of glory, decked with gems and pearls, 
radiant with the fires of immortality and eternal life ! Blessed be the name 
of the Lord. 

We also had the melancholy pleasure of seeing and enjoying the kind 
hospitality of sister Campbell, the widow of the renowned and immortal 
dead. We say melancholy pleasure, not that there was any want of dis- 
position or effect upon the part of this good and devout sister to make us 
comfortable and happy ; on the contrary, we testify she did all in her 
power to effect this very thing; taking so much pains and trouble to point 



I50 BIOGRAPHY OF 

out everything that stands associated with the lamented one; the office of 
his study; the chair in which he sat; the blue-covered good book from 
which he used to read; the window through which poured forth the rays 
of light, calling forth from him the beautiful expression, as he neared the 
dark and silent valley, " But to you who fear my name, shall the sun of 
righteousness arise with healing in his wings." But sister Campbell looks 
so different now from what she did when I saw her with her beloved hus- 
band in (I think) 1855. Care and sorrow sit brooding upon her visage. By 
the foot of the grave of the great warrior stands the chair in which he used to 
sit, and there she goes and watches as she did when he lay upon the couch 
of languishing and death. Humble as I am, I assumed the responsibility to 
administer to her an affectionate rebuke, not to let these sorrowful thoughts 
press too heavily upon her heart, for I saw they were working out their 
deadly problem. Raise thine eyes then, dear sister, from the darkness 
and gloom of the present and the past, and fix them unwaveringly on the 
bright prospect of the future, the bright resurrection morn, when thy be- 
loved husband shall again be restored to thee, and thou shalt be united to 
him by bands purer and holier than those of earth, and which the cold 
and ruthless hand of death, glory to the Redeemer, can never sever. 

There are many other things and many other persons about Bethany I 
should like to write you about, but you may think this article already too 
long; if so, divide it into two. We should like to say a little about the 
intelligent, accomplished, erudite Loos, with a heart of kindness, gene- 
rosity, hospitality, outstripping, if possible, his intellect. Should also have 
been pleased to have made a short reference to Professor Harding, of the 
mathematical chair ; but only give him the opportunity, and he will make 
his own mark. Also of our old friend, acquaintance and brother, Cren- 
shaw, of eastern Virginia, now of Bethany, with Ms beloved consort, 
whose unfeigned and unremitted efforts, to make me comfortable and 
happy while with them, will never be forgotten ; of the two boys, Werner 
and Julian, the former of whom graduated with much credit, and the 
latter read a very creditable essay at the commencement ; and of little 
Pattie, who was baptized at our meeting at Gilboa last fall ; and of brother 
and sister Bramham, whose former liberality and hospitality have been 
read and known of so many; of all these I should like to speak more 
particularly; and also of brethren Allen and A. Campbell, Junior, and 
wives, and others, who, to my mind, possess the noblest attributes that 
man can have, and that is a great, big, gushing heart of affection, and not 



GEO. W. ABELL. 151 

what some men of considerable intellect have, a poor, little, hard, frozen 
gizzard (ladies, pardon the expression), and no heart at all. And last, but 
not the least, I should delight to have made some reference to Dr. Rich- 
ardson and his interesting family, at their delightful home at Bethpage, 
some three miles from Bethany, if farther from the Mount of Olives. 
God bless them all. May the health and strength of the Doctor be pre- 
served, so that he may be permitted to prosecute his labors in completing 
the history of brother Campbell, which will supply a vacuum in regard to 
the Reformation. With the diligent aid of his twin daughter, he has pro- 
gressed so far as to have completed, and have in readiness for distribution, 
the first volume of that important work. This will be hailed with great 
delight^ by the brotherhood. The Lord assist him in its further prosecu- 
tion. But time and the columns of the Examiner would fail me in 
referring, at anything like length, to all these interesting events and per- 
sonages. And in all this, I have barely hinted at the commencement of 
Bethany College, to which I must refer 'your readers in the accounts which 
shall be given of this in other places, only remarking that the whole affair 
was highly creditable to faculty, trustees, students, citizens and visitors. 
So, for the present, I must abruptly break off and close. 
Yours, as ever, 

G. W. Abell. 

California, Penn., July 2. 
Dear Brethren Parrish and Hopson : 

Since writing to you last, I have 
been preaching in West Virginia, eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. 
I am this day in California ; not California whose bowels are rifled of the 
yellow dust, which may have been stored away there, for aught that I 
know, to pave the streets of the New Jerusalem, over which the immortal 
feet of the redeemed saints, through millennial days, are to tread ; but 
California, of the great old State which constitutes the keystone of the arch 
composed of the states of the American Union, whose hills abound not 
with the yellow dust, but with that which, if not so comely, nor so much 
idolized, is at least not less useful, I mean its inexhaustible beds of coal, 
everywhere stored away in its bosom, and which, with its iron ore and 
wells of oil, constitute its principal source of trade and wealth. 

In all this line of travel, one is struck with what may be termed " ad- 
vance and progress." 



152 BIOGRAPHY OF 

We are certainly, sirs, getting to hold a good hand with our neighbors, 
in all that constitutes the refined, the fashionable and the wealthy. Now, 
I do not mean to say one thing condemnatory under this head, and that 
for reasons satisfactory, at least, to myself. In the first place, it would do 
no good ; then again, it might seem ungrateful, after all the kindness I 
have received at the hands of these brethren and sisters; and lastly, it 
might do harm. I refer to costly meeting houses, instruments of music 
and fashionable choir singing. , 

Now, I am not approving nor disapproving, when I state a matter of 
fact, that these are abounding, and, mark the prediction, will superabound 
among us as a people. These points are already carried all along the north- 
western reserve. Nor is the victory limited to this portion of Ohio; and 
this State, distinguished as the "keystone of the arch," is becoming fa- 
miliar with the more refined art of the "key and other notes" of the 
melodeon and the organ as accompaniments of the public worship. 

This is the line of argument. We have wealth ; then it is not worth 
while for us to be niggardly parsimonious; our private residences are 
worth from fifty to seventy-five thousand dollars , then why should we not 
have fine houses of worship as well as others? When this point is carried, 
and we get a house of worship costing say seventy-five or one hundred 
thousand dollars, as two that I have recently preached in are said to have 
cost, then the next thing is to put a fine organ in them; for without this 
they would be incomplete. 

The initiatory step is to introduce the melodeon into the Sunday school, 
there can be no harm in this, of course ; next, it cautiously creeps into the 
prayer meeting; and when all necessary precautionary steps have been 
taken, and opposition sufficiently silenced, it culminates in the full blasts 
and deep tones of the splendid organ at the eleven o'clock and evening 
services on Lord's day, very much to the edification of the refined sensi- 
bilities of the refined auditors. 


Now brother McGarvey, Professor Loos, Dr. Hopson and President 
Pendleton may exhaust all their argumentative powers against it; bro- 
ther Franklin may bring his heavy artillery to thunder against it ; but, 
gentlemen, let me tell you, while I perfectly accord with you, it is just so 
much ammunition, time and labor thrown away. You may keep it out .of 
your plain chapel at Bethany — which, by the way, is plenty good for me, 
but which would only do for the brethren and sisters in the localities re- 
ferred to until they could have it pulled down and one i>efitting their 






GEO. W. ABELL. 153 

tastes reared in its stead — but as for getting them out of the houses where 
they have already been installed, or keeping them out of others as the tide 
Tolls on, you just as well think of changing the course of the Alleghany, 
the Monongahela, or their united streams, the mighty Ohio. So, gentle- 
men, mark it, your guns will soon be spiked before the resistless march of 
this mighty army of progress and advance. Why, don't you know that it 
is already predicted that so soon as Bethany gets a good run of boys from 
wealthy and fashionable, parents, that the good old Bethany chapel, sur- 
rounded by so many hallowed associations, will be leveled to the ground, 
a magnificent edifice, costing from fifty to one hundred thousand dollars, 
will occupy its place ; the holy organ and fashionable choir, accompanying 
the public exercises, will be heard resounding in the spacious^ building, 
very much to the gratification of President Pendleton and Professor Loos ? 
And don't you know that it is already insinuated that the little baby melo- 
deon is already heard crying in the Sunday school, either of Dr. Hopson 
in Richmond, or brother McGarvey in Lexington; and all that is needed 
is time and proper exercise and nutriment to develope it it into the full- 
grown, long sounding, heavy pealing organ ? 

I tell you again, gentlemen, you had as well give up the matter first as 
last, or inaugurate another mighty rebellion, awful secession and bloody 
war among the churches. It is true, it seemed to me like a considerable 
contrast to be standing up in a splendid temple, costing from seventy-five 
to one hundred thousand dollars, enveloped amid the tones of a splendid 
organ, and wrapped amid the ecstacies of a splendid fashionable choir, 
pleading for a few dollars to have the gospel preached to the poor, igno- 
rant freedmen of the South. But if these brethren and sisters were kind 
and liberal and hospitable to me, as they were, what business was it of 
mine how they sung or how they performed ? Is not brother Errett acting 
on this same principle ? Do you hear him continually thundering against 
organs and fashionable choirs? No! And why? Because if his bat- 
teries ever burned with fires of this kind, they have long since been si- 
lenced. • 

So, brethren, you "had as well profit by the experience of others, and 

surrender before you are overcome. 

G. W. Abell. 

Dear Brother Parrish: 

The September Examiner, after some little 

delay, found its way'to me while holding a meeting at what was called, in 



154 BIOGRAPHY OF 

Methodistic nomenclature, " Kigley's Chapel," but under the Christian 
regime by the more Scriptural title of " Berea." This is one of the points 
at which the Lord has been blessing the labors of brothers Snow and 
Curtis, in pointing out to the people a "more excellent way;" and I 
trust, like the Bereans of old, they will be more noble than those of many 
other places besides Thessalonica, in examining whether " those things 
are in accordance with the living oracles," and, finding them so, will re- 
ceive them into "good and honest hearts." I found the materials of the 
Examiner of usual, and I was thinking to write, of " unusual" interest to 
me. The proceedings of your Tidewater Co-operation were matters of 
thrilling importance to me. As I heard the names of delegates called 
from the various churches, reminiscences of past days and gone-by scenes 
rushed rapidly and vividly through my memoiy. I thought of Grafton, 
and old York, and Warwick, and Olive Branch, and James City, and Jeru- 
salem, and old King William ; the hard battles in connection with many 
dear brethren and sisters I had- fought for the King on these and many 
other adjoining and surrounding fields, where victory had so often perched 
upon the glorious banner of truth, waving in victorious folds to the breezes. 
of heaven; of the.tears of gratitude flowing down the cheeks of happy 
fathers and mothers, in seeing their dear children bowing to the sceptre of 
Prince Emanuel. I thought of the dark tide of war that had swept over 
this once happy land ; those once fair and lovely homes, and leaving deso- 
lation and ruin in its rear, a many bruised and broken heart around a once 
cheerful fire hearth, where the rites of hospitality and kindness had been 
so often and generously bestowed upon my unworthy self. 

But, thank God, the wilderness is beginning again to flourish. I see 
the labors of your faithful, zealous, laborious evangelist, my friend and 
brother, Dr. Bullard, have been very much blessed; not only in the edifi- 
cation of the brotherhood, but also in the conversion of sinners. God 
grant the good work may go on, until, in all the region where the heavings 
of old Ocean's bosom are perceived, the hearts of her sons and daughters 
may be vocal with* the praises of the Prince of Peace. Yea, may those 
praises sweep on in Piedmont's hills and plains, gathering new strength as 
they pass the summits of the Blue Ridge on the right, mingling with the 
voices of the' sons and daughters of music of Shenandoah's vales; and 
again reinforced by the melodies of the sunny fields, south of old James, 
and, met by the choirs from the southwest, make old Alleghany's highest 
peaks ring again with the praises of God and the Lamb. 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 55 

Well, I see we are again depleted by the loss of Dr. Hopson. After 
3 times the perfect number 7 (months) = 21 ; and again, 3 times that = 63 
months, a "wrecked mariner," but wrecked upon the bosom of his 
old grandmother, Virginia (for if I am correctly posted in the history of 
the Doctor, he has been a pilgrim during his three states of childhood, 
boyhood and manhood, in the three commonwealths of Virginia the mo- 
ther, Kentucky the daughter, and Missouri the granddaughter; and that 
during his manhood he has followed respectively the three distinguished 
callings of literature, war and peace). But again this 63 months of his 
shipwreck is divided into 3 geographical locations, north of James river, 
south of the same, and the mountains of Henry. But again, deducting 
the 3 years and 3 months of his pastorate in Richmond, from the whole . 
period 63 months, we have left a period, which reduced to days, just 
equals 730; again composed of the perfect number 7 X30; again com- 
posed of 3 tens x o units. I cannot close this category of the Doctor's, 
celebrated triad and triunity pilgrimage without adding, that his beloved 
daughter having accepted the hand and the heart of our excellent brother 
Cave, his Christian and hospitable abode just contained exactly no more 
nor no less than three pairs united into one; Brother Fife and the mother; 
Dr. Hopson and the wife; Brother Cave and the daughter; and having 
already sustained the relation of husband and father, he has also, in the 
providence of God, been brought to sustain the other of the three natural 
relationships of earth, that of grandfather, by which relationship the family 
is made to consist exactly, no more nor no less, than the perfect number 
seven. 

Well, Doctor, -fare ye truly well; God be with ye ; may he be your 
friend ; bless all your loved ones ; make you an instrument of accomplish- 
ing great good, and with all your dear ones give you an abiding home in 
his own eternal "house not made with hands," where there will be no 
more wars, no' more prisons, no more banishments, no more "shipwrecked 
mariners." Amen! and Amen! 

By the way, I see you, as also S. from Floyd, and eight stars, "have the 
Southwest again on docket. Well, sir, composing a part as I do now of 
that distinguished section, I feel a personal as well as a general interest in 
all that pertains to it, and you need not be surprised if I should develop a 
little " touchiness" in anything said concerning it, that does not appear to 
me exactly perpendicular upon the compass. Now, sir, I would not be 
surprised, upon close inspection (and you will excuse me, as I am alto- 



15^ BIOGRAPHY OF 

gether in a good humor) — I say I would not be surprised if some of your 
editorial plumes ought not to be a little curtailed, as well as a few of S.'s 
stars darkened. It is true, sir, that Christ in this region, as well as others, 
has been in rather a bad condition, at least financially, for, according to 
the report of our financial agent, I believe the treasury had become empty, 
and (C.) was a little more than one thousand dollars worse than nothing, 
and one of his cousins, your present evangelist, had to borrow money to 
pay for the shoeing of his horse, or mending his buggy. Indeed, the stay 
law, in the case of Austin, Cowgill and others, having been in operation, 
until forbearance was ceasing to be a virtue, we were considering seriously, 
at our late session, if Christ would not have to repudiate, or we try to get 
a bankrupt law passed for his especial benefit, or adopt brother Henley's 
Jacob's ladder plan, and send the preachers up to heaven every Monday 
morning, and have it strong enough to take their wives and children along 
with«them. But, sir, permit me to say that, in my own weak judgment, this 
unfortunate state of financial affairs is neither owing to any want of libe- 
rality upon the part of the "laity," and therefore the propriety of clipping 
your editorial plumes a little ; nor for any want of zeal or generosity upon 
the part of the " clergy;" and hence also the equal propriety of darkening a 
few of S.'s stars. I think our preachers in this country have been a noble 
band of self-sacrificing men, who have faithfully preached the gospel, very 
much at their own expense, whether they have acquired "handsome 
estates" or not; and have gathered together a noble band of Disciples, the 
salt of the land, and if they have not done their duty, it has not been for a 
want of liberality, but for want of proper instruction in that department, and 
a proper system of operation. But, sir, only have patience, give us time 
(the world was not made in a day), and by the grace of God the charac- 
ter of the Southwest, both as to preachers and members, shall be redeemed. 
She shall yet staad " fair as the sun, clear as the snow, and as terrible (to 
the enemies of God and his truth) as an army with banners." 

G. W. A. with only * * * * 

Patrick C. H., Nov. 16, 1868. 
Dear Brother Parrish : 

When I arrive at home, the Lord willing, I will 
give you an account of my present trip, with its results. 

Yesterday I received the confession and immersed the wife of Colonel 
Penn, Commonwealth's Attorney of this [Patrick] county, granddaughter 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 57 

of our pious, intelligent and devoted sister Dejarnette, of your county. 
I thought I could perceive some of the Christian lineaments of the grand- 
mother in the granddaughter. May God abundantly bless her, enable 
her to walk in the footsteps of her devoted Christian grandmother ; and 
may her dear husband follow her meek and humble example, exchange 
the practice of law for the proclamation of the Gospel, and receive an 

unfading crown of glory. 

Fraternally yours, ■ 

G. W. A. 

Nov. 21. — Having a few moments to spare, I give you the results of 
this tour so far: Horse Pasture, Henry county, fifty-four; Snow Creek, 
Franklin county, thirteen; Shady Grove, four; Mount Bethel, Henry, 
thirty-seven. Here our Methodist brethren turned, us out into the woods, 
like Indians, and some of their best members endorsed the action by 
making the good confession and being buried with Christ in baptism. 
Patrick Court-house, four. So far, one hundred and twelve. 

I hereby acknowledge the kind, cordial and zealous co-operation of 
brother Watkins, who in 1866 united with us from the Methodist brother- 
hood. Also, of our eloquent brother, Dr. Bullard, who brought up the 
rear, and caused the heavenly artillery to play with success upon the 
enemy's ranks. 

Home, Nov' r 24. 

Arrived at home to day, after an absence of five weeks and a few days. 
After writing the foregoing, had four more additions at Patrick Court- 
house, among them the daughter of our brother and sister Bishop, and 
Mrs. Taylor, wife of Dr. Taylor, one of the public political functionaries 
of the county. May the Doctor be led to follow the good example of his 
wife. 

G. W. A. 

Montgomery, March 18, 1869. 
Dear Brother Parrish : 

Since I wrote you last, I have been holding some 
interesting meetings : 

1. Preached nearly a week in Christiansburg to good attentive audiences. 
Hope much good was accomplished. 

2. Preached about a week at Craig's meeting-house, near Christiansburg. 



158 BIOGRAPHY OF 

Seven declared in favor of the truth, part by confession, part before bap- 
tized. 

3. Preached two days at Belle Spring, in Pulaski, gathered thirteen, 
who had been scattered as sheep without a shepherd — placed them under 
the supervision of brethren Dr. Wilson and Shelburne, son of our la- 
mented brother Cephas Shelburne. We trust that under the care of these 
intelligent and persevering brethren they may prosper, and with the bless- 
ing of the Lord greatly Increase. 

4. Have been conducting an interesting meeting in this neighborhood, 
Piney Grove, for more than a week. Twenty have confessed. There 
were about fourteen here before the meeting commenced, making about 
thirty-four with whom to commence operations in this region. Brothers 
Albert and Heavner have been appointed as officers over them. Brother 
Shelburne has also promised his aid. Brother Shelburne belonging to the 
stock of preachers, being a son, grandson, and a great grandson of a 
preacher, and now having a fine field to work in, and being a working 
man, we hope, under the blessing of God, he will prove very useful to 
these infant communities, in which, by the providence of God, he has 
been cast. May God abundantly bless them all. 

.5. At Piney Run sixteen additions. 

6. At Harmony fifteen additions. Organized a church at- the latter, and 
reorganized one. at the former. 

I believe there have been about twelve accessions at Mack's Creek. 

Now holding a meeting at Brush Creek, Floyd county. Organized a 

church here of fifteen members. 

Yours, fraternally, 

G. W. A. 

To the Disciples in South-western Virginia: 

Beloved Brethren: — Exercising a privilege reserved, in accept- 
ing the call to labor for you, I am about to leave you a short time for my 
own native region, the Piedmont district. Before leaving, I desire to call 
your attention to the importance of imitating the example of the Tide- 
water and Piedmont sections, in having a special fund for assisting young 
men, in indigent circumstances, who may desire to educate themselves to 
preach the gospel. These former districts, although very much im- 
poverished by the war and its consequences, in addition to making liberal 
appropriations for the proclamation of the gospel, are doing a noble work 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 59 

to fit others to sound fortjj the word when the voices of the present pro- 
claimed shall have been hushed in the stillness of death. Will you, with 
a better country, freer from other expenses, less injured by the ravages of 
war, be behind them in this good work of love ? I hope not. 

My attention was called to this subject during my last trip to Sugar 
Grove, Giles county, by hearing a young Brother Lucas, who has been pre- 
paring himself to preach. He is a young man of fine promise, and bids 
fair to make an excellent preacher. In the same neighborhood we bap- 
tized three other young men of excellent talents, who, we hope, will follow 
the same example. O for the time to come when the church will do her 
duty, call forth all her energies, when all her talents shall be consecrated 
to the furtherance of the best of all causes. 

In a preaching excursion with Brother Hawley of two weeks, from 
which we have just returned, from the mouth to the source of Sinking 
Creek, we added about twenty-five to the church. From a little skirmish 
at Newport, with the commander of the Methodist fort at that point, a 
day has been fixed upon for a pitched battle. I am no advocate for fight- 
ing, but Christ has no white flag to hang out when the honor of His cause 
is at stake : His soldiers have no white plumes to display. His motto is, 

Victory and Immortality ! 

G. W. A. . 

GORDONSVILLE, JUNE 2, 1 869. 

Dear Brother Parrish : • ■ 

I have now been four weeks in the Piedmont district. Two of these 
weeks I spent in Nelson county, preaching at Lovingston station, the 
Court-house, brother Col. Fitzpatrick's, Rockfish depot, and at a school- 
house near Shiloh meeting-house, a Baptist synagogue, which, like Jericho 
of old, is kept strictly shut up against the gospel of Christ. What a great 
misfortune, that the rulers of these modern Jerichos should have so little 
faith in their own systems (and yet cling with such tenacity to them), as 
to fear to have'them tested by the unerring and immutable standard of 
God's own eternal word! " To the law and to the testimony; if any man 
speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in him." — 
"If any man speak, let him speak according to the oracles of God." — "If 
any man has a dream, let him tell his dream ; but if a man has my word, 
let him speak my word faithfully; for what is the chaff to the wheat ? " 
Some twelve of the scattered Disciples in this county (Nelson) were en- 



1 60 BIOGRAPHY OF 

rolled, with a prospect of as many more being addled, whom, we hope, will 
be represented in the Piedmont Co-operation, and have an opportunity of 
having the Jerusalem gospel proclaimed among them. 

We also spent a week with the little, faithful band in Charlottesville* 
About thirty years ago, by the grace of God, forsaking all that was dear of 
earth, I burst the shackles of sectarianism, and clothed myself with the 
freedom of the liberty of. the gospel of Christ, and became identified with 
this congregation. I sympathize very much with this little band. When 
I beheld them, depleted by deaths, removals, desertions and apostacies, I 
felt as though I looked upon the remnant of some veteran host, who had 
fought through many a hard campaign, made many a gallant charge, sus- 
tained many a deadly assault, and while they beheld death and carnage 
all around them, and though reduced to but a fragment, and that still di- 
minishing, yet bid defiance to their assailing foes, and with full confidence 
in their divine cause, resolved to stand by their colors to the bitter end. 
God give them grace so to do. Be firm, brethren ! Do your duty, and 
you will yet see the flag of truth wave high in victorious folds o'er all 
the sectarian battlements of this proud, worldly-minded, carnally-hearted 
sectarian community. (Of course there are some noble exceptions.) 

For a week I have been at this place, Gordonsville. We are -having 
good, attentive hearings; have re-organized the church, and commenced a 
Sunday school under very favorable auspices, with a prospect of becom- 
ing quite large. Here, as at Charlottesville, we ought to have a good y 
faithful man established, preaching and working all the time. While 
brethren Cutler and Coleman are true men, men of the right stamp, yet 
their monthly visits are far from meeting the demands of the case. If 
their whole time and attention could be given to them, then the deficiency 
would be supplied. 

Saturday, June 5 — Closed my meeting to-day at Gordonsville, with fif- 
teen additions : six Baptists, two Methodists, and seven fresh recruits, di- 
rectly from Satan's kingdom. To God be all the praise. 

Brothers Bullard (Dr. and William), Snow and others, who propose to 

be with me at the Newport affair, will consult brothers Fry and Letellier 

of that place as to the time. I believe the third of August has been fixed 

on. I suggest to them to have some kind of shades fixed to the sides of 

the house, as it will not hold the people. 

Fraternally, 

G. W. A. 



GEO. W. ABELL. l6l 

Wytheville, Aug. 9, 1869. 
Dear Brother P arris h : 

I have just returned from Brother Abell's debate, 
held at Newport, Giles county, with " Rev. Mr. Gilbert," of the Me- 
thodist Episcopal Church, South. It is due to the brethren in Virginia 
that they hear succinctly from it. Owing to the want of room in the 
"church," though a very good and spacious one, a stand and seats were 
fitted up in a grove near by. A very large, intelligent, and well behaved 
audience was in attendance, and listened with unabated interest to the 
close. 

.Much the larger portion of the audience were Pedobaptist (Methodists, 
Lutherans and Presbyterians, and their sympathizers). Some eight Meth- 
odist and two Lutheran preachers were there. Brother Hawley and my- 
self alone stood by Brother Abell. In the audience were several of our 
Baptist brethren, clearly sympathizing with Brother Abell in the question 
discussed, though no Baptist preacher was present at this battle for our 
common faith! Why was this? 

Three days were consumed upon the first proposition, which was of 
Brother Abell's own framing, and was substantially as follows : 

" Immersion in water, and emersion out of water, into the name of Fa- 
ther, Son and Holy Spirit, is the only true apostolic and Christian bap- 
tism." 

I am frank to confess, that when I found that Mr. Quinn, who arranged 
to debate with Brother Abell, had been Withdrawn, and Mr. Gilbert, a 
shrewd debater of twenty-five years experience, and of State -wide fame, 
had been substituted, and that Brother Abell had shouldered more in this 
proposition than I had ever known to be undertaken, I had serious mis- 
givings as to the result, especially as I regarded brother. Abell to be 
without experience as a debater. When asked why he burdened himself 
with the proof of "emersion out of water," &c? he replied, "I believe 
it taught in God's word ; I therefore affirm it." Well, it is not blinded 
partizanship that makes me assure the brethren that brother Abell is a very 
excellent debater, dignified and courteous, logical, pointed and fearless, 
accurate in his statements, thoroughly and familiarly acquainted with his 
proofs, orderly in his arrangement, and doggedly persistent for his end. 
Nor is he at all wanting in pointed repartee. Brother Abell has a way 
peculiarly his own, especially in debate, and his brethren had as well know 
11 



1 62 BIOGRAPHY OF 

it. His own way to reply, his time when to reply. That way may not be 
of your choosing, but it must be confessed it is a very good one, and al- 
though the time when may tardily delay, until masses think it not forth- 
coming, yet finally his opponent's point is taken up with its class, fairly 
stated, and fully met. It must have been apparent to all, that in Greek 
criticism Brother Abell had greatly the advantage. 

It is due to Mr. Gilbert to say he is no dwarf; no unworthy foeman, in- 
tellectually. He is astute and tenacious; puts forth his arguments as 
though he believed them, and receives the blows of his opponent mainly 
with a good grace. Sitting as a critic, I would decide he had studied N. 
L. Rice as his model. Certain it is, he followed him very closely in his 
Greek quotations from Classics, Lexicons, and in his argument upon pro- 
positions. It is also certain he copied him in the frequent assertion, " I 
have proven;" " I have proven." "The gentleman cannot prove;" "I 
defy him to prove," &c. I cannot possibly so condense even what I re- 
member (I took no notes) of that three days' debate, of six hours per diem, 
as to give in a single number of the Examiner any idea of what was said 
on both sides ; shall not attempt it. Suffice it to say, brother Abell ad- 
dressed himself directly to the proof of his proposition. And while using 
the Classics and Lexicons to get at the act specifically commanded in the 
commission to be done, his opponent repeatedly called upon him for his 
Bible argument, his i( sicdicit Deus;" but when brother Abell reached 
his proofs from the Bible, in form of types and figures, the baptizing of John 
" in Jordan" and "at Enon, near Salem, because there was much water 
there," &c, &c, just then Mr. Gilbert was wonderfully interested in the 
Classics and in the travels of one Mr. Mondrel in the Holy Land. 

In proof that the Saviour was not immersed, Mr. Gilbert produced a 
wood- cut picture, said to be a true copy from some other picture of ancient 
date, representing the Saviour standing up to his middle in water, and 
John the Baptist pouring water upon his head from a shell. And still 
another of the Saviour, not in the water, and the Baptist sprinkling with 
water from a hyssop branch. 

Mr. Gilbert distinctly denied any case of immersion in the New Testa- 
ment — denied any case of baptism out of doors, recorded in Acts (I sup- 
pose he meant) except possibly the case of the eunuch. En meant at or 
to. Enon was a fountain, affording a "good plenty" of water for a camp- 
meeting. Dr. McKnight, Dr. George Campbell, were " fantastical theo- 
logical dreamers." Luther, Calvin, Wesley and Clarke, were not safe; 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 63 

were not in harmony with, nor to be looked up to as the lights of the pre- 
sent day. And, finally, immersion had its origin in the dark ages, and 
must be associated with the wild fanaticism of those days. Immersion- 
ists were associated wdth the Anabaptists of the sixteenth century, and 
the fanaticism and insubordination to the powers that were, by Manger 
and his associates, were represented as the legitimate outgrowth and ten- 
dency of exclusive immersionist principles of the present day. 

This last assault was in Mr. Gilbert's last and the closing speech of the 
debate, and of course was not replied to in any way. But if I did not 
misjudge the sense of that audience, he is welcome to all he gained by 
such a speech at such a stage of the debate. 

Your readers can well understand how brother Abell, with his intimate 
knowledge of the Bible, his familiar acquaintance with the fathers, with 
church history, and with what the Reformers had deposed, would reply to 
all that had the semblance of argument. I think he did it thoroughly and 
well. And whatever else those ten preachers may have thought, I opine 
that they believed him sincere, that he feared God, and valued the truth 
above all price. His last speech was a masterly summing up, interspersed 
with now and then additional proofs on each point. Then an earnest ap- 
peal to the audience, and, finally turning to those preachers present, averred 
his honest convictions of the truth he had advocated. For the matter he 
had set forth he had no apology, but if in the manner he had been infe- 
licitous and offensive, he humbly begged their pardon. Then invoking the 
blessing of God upon them, he took each of them by the hand and then 
sat down. Just then there was many a tear glistening in the eyes of that 
audience. It is proper to add, that those ministers present behaved with 
great decorum. That kindly feeling appeared to prevail — that there was 
a mutual interchange of civilities — that the hospitalities of that very hospi- 
table people were alike shared, and at the same time by the preachers of 
both sides. 

I desire to record here and now our very high appreciation of Elder 
Ball, the presiding elder of that district, whom I regard as a model Chris- 
tian gentleman. 

The discussion of the two remaining propositions (the baptism of infants, 
and baptism for the remission of sins) has been postponed until Tuesday, 
24th instant, by mutual agreement. I now feel it my duty to attend, and 
if anything worthy of note occurs, I may advise you in a future article. 
Your brother in Christ, 

D. A. Snow. 



1 64 BIOGRAPHY OF 

WytheVille, September 2, 1869* 
Dear Brother Parrish : 

According to promise, I resume the account of 
brother Abell's adjourned debate. I remained at our Co-operation at 
Newburn until Monday, one o'clock, giving myself but half a day to 
reach Newport, over thirty miles distant. Owing to some little mishaps, 
I did not reach the place until after Mr. Gilbert's opening speech had well 
nigh closed. His proposition was, "Infants of believing parents are 
proper subjects of Christian baptism." I learned enough, however, from 
the two days' discussion of that question to know that Mr. Gilbert's posi- 
tion was very much like that taken by N. L. Rice with Mr. Campbell, 
viz : to argue as though there never was but one covenant and one church. 
That the Christian is but an enlargement, extension and continuation of 
the Jewish; and without directly committing himself to it, yet arguing as 
though baptism was in the room of circumcision. It will not be neces- 
sary to detail the arguments on either side. Surely never did affirmant 
toil more unavailingly, more hopelessly, than did Mr. Gilbert for those 
two days. Even his warmest friends and blindest partizans must have 
seen, as the perspiration ran down his face upon his papers, saturating his 
clothing, that he had a desperate case to make out, and that his proposition 
had less proof than had even been supposed. 

Brother Abell entered upon this last discussion quite broken down with 
evangelizing labor, having begun to preach to the people of Newport as 
soon as the first debate was over, and continuing to labor up to the day 
before this last discussion began, in the surrounding country, without a 
rest day. The result of those labors you will doubtless hear from his 
report as evangelist. One hundred persons, in that and the adjoining 
neighborhoods, were immersed. Among them, Major Samuel Lybrook, 
presiding moderator in the first discussion. This, by the way, is the best 
comment upon the first debate, especially as many of the baptized were 
Methodists and Lutherans, and attendants upon that discussion. 

Fortunately, now, the weather forbade a discussion out of doors, and 
brother Abell was enabled to continue the debate in a lower tone of voice, 
and thereby rather grew stronger as the debate progressed. Quite a per- 
sistent effort was made by Mr. Gilbert's friends to remove from the house 
to the grove; and it did seem to us as though they would do so, if pos- 
sible, to break brother Abell down entirely. Even after the vote of the 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 65 

house had been taken, and a large majority decided to remain, to favor 
brother Abell, who plead illness, there was another effort to remove to the 
grove. But upon my firmly saying brother Abell could not and should 
not speak in open air, the thing was reluctantly abandoned. 

The last proposition discussed, " Baptism to the believing penitent is 
for, i. e. in order to, the remision of sins," occupied the last two days. 
Brother Abell .took great pains in explaining the terms of his proposition. 
First, as to the necessity of sincere and unfeigned faith, then of deep and 
thorough repentance. To such believing penitent, baptism is "for the 
remission of past sins." " For," not in the sense of purchasing, or pro- 
curing, or rendering an equivalent, but in the sense of enjoying. Upon 
this he was very explicit. And I am satisfied that the candid and un- 
prejudiced of that audience will never charge brother Abell with the 
heresy of " salvation by water only." I shall always believe this was unex- 
pected to his opponent. His notes and proofs were all prepared to nega- 
tive a quite different proposition. And having prepared his speeches for 
a certain state of things, he must needs deliver them as prepared, whether 
relevant or not. He came well prepared to fight " Campbellism," as seen 
through the spectacles of N. L. Rice, and as it is caricatured by him, in 
garbled extracts from the " Christian Baptist " and " Christianity Restored," 
which last he loudly averred was " the creed of my friend's church." He 
set up a man of straw who .denied the Holy Ghost (and these last two 
words he had a peculiar way of loudly and lengthily uttering), who made 
a "Saviour of water," water first, water middle, and water last, "no sal- 
vation but in the water," &c., &c. And this man of straw he fought with 
a vim. Called us "idolaters," " infidels," and like pretty names. 

Meanwhile, brother Abell (except now and then, when he turned upon 
his opponent with scathing and withering rebuke for his abuse and mis- 
representation of this great and good, but now dead, man) addressed 
himself to the proof of his proposition, which I need not say to your 
readers he did fully, unanswerably. The last day, I thought he was pe- 
culiarly happy in the choice of his proofs and in his manner of expressing 
himself. It was most too bad, when his opponent showed some irritability, 
for brother Abell to urge him to keep cool, and taunt him with the state- 
ment, he felt quite equable, perhaps owing to the fact that he that morning 
had been in the river to bury three more of his Methodist friends in the 
likeness of the Lord's death. 

Brother Abell, as on former propositions, reserved his strongest argu- 



1 66 BIOGRAPHY OF 

ments for the last. And I do not now think of an alteration I would 
make in those closing speeches. 

The real proofs Mr. Gilbert scarcely pretended to touch. Indeed, he 
said he had not time, although he spent his last forty-five minutes in re- 
peating his charges against us, and in asserting what he had proven ; yet 
he was the respondent. I regret to say that I could have left the ground ' 
before the discussion of that last proposition, with a much .higher opinion 
of Mr. Gilbert's sense of justice than I now have. Such were the un- 
grounded charges, such the persistent efforts on his part to impress that 
audience that we preached one thing, but believed another, even after 
brother Abell's repeated disclaimers, that I cannot, with all the charity I 
can command, think of him only as a man sworn to make out his case, 
if not by fair play, then by any other means. 

Brother Abell is so thoroughly the evangelist, " in season and out of 
season," at the fireside, on the highway, that even in debate (when most 
of us would have the proof of our proposition as the thing to be done), 
he has an eye to the main chance, the calling of his life, the conviction of 
those present, that he cannot forbear to preach and exhort as he goes 
along. I confess I sometimes at the moment did grudge the time thus 
spent, and wanted it all employed for the purposes it was allotted to. But 
since it is over, I conclude, after all, God will be most glorified in his 
course, and we have learned that one of the secrets of his success is the 
sinking of all that is personal and selfish, for the enlightenment and the 
salvation of the world. 

I did not discover so much urbanity as obtained on our first visit ; 
whether this is chargeable to brother Abell's success in those regions, 
or to the absence of elder Ball as a controlling spirit, I cannot now un- 
dertake to decide. 

D. A. Snow. 

September 2, 1869. 
Dear Brother Parrish : 

While my meeting was in progress at Stony Creek, 
our young brother Lucas, to whom I referred in a former communication 
was holding, in company with brother Baber, a successful meeting in 
Monroe — eighteen additions. He (brother Lucas) afforded me good as- 
sistance at Stony Creek. Also, in Montgomery and Pulaski, brethren 
Shelor, Cummings, Showalter and Hawley were doing good service, hav- 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 67 

ing had, at different points, about eighty additions; so that in this field, 
during the month of August, there have been about two hundred acces- 
sions to the churches. 

I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to brethren Snow and 
Hawley; and numerous other brethren and sisters, for their kind sympa- 
thies and prayers, while I defended the truth of God, amid the assaults of 

the lion of Methodism, at the Newport debate. 

G. W. Abell. 

Sept. 5, 1869. 
Dear Brother Parrish : 

Although I believe I have given an account 

through your columns of my labors for the Piedmont Co-operation for the 

months of May, June and July, yet, at brother Cutler's request, I again 

make a succinct statement of these labors , 

I commenced in Nelson county about the first of May, and remained 
about two weeks in that county, preaching at the Lovingston Station, the 
Court-house, brother Colonel Fitzpatrick's, Rockfish Depot, fitted up for that 
purpose by our kind and liberal brother Freeman, the agent; and also at a 
school-house near Faber's Mills. I next spent a week with the brethren 
in Charlottesville ; then visited Gordonsville, spending some two or three 
weeks at that point, visiting Macedonia, Orange county, in the meantime; 
thence to Louisa Court-house, spending the greater part of another week, 
speaking at night, the Lord's day having been spent with the brethren at 
Enon ; thence to Bethpage, where another week was worn away ; and an- 
other at Zion, Hanover; and another at Enon, Louisa; and still another at 
Forest Grove, Goochland; thence to Goshen, Fluvanna, and then Scotts- 
ville, Albemarle, where my meetings closed fourth Lord's day night, 
between the hours of ten and eleven o'clock on the banks of James river. 

I believe the additions have been all reported through former numbers 

of the Examiner, except perhaps the two at Scottsville, four at Goshen, 

and the fifteen at Forest Grove. I do not remember whether they were or 

noL All of which is respectfully submitted. 

Fraternally your evangelist, 

G. W. Abell. 

Stony Point, Sept. 6, 1869. 
Dear Brother Parrish: 

I left home last Friday quite unwell, against the 
remonstrances of my family, and arrived at this, "Stony Point," Saturday 



1 68 BIOGRAPHY OF 

evening, and commenced operations on yesterday, having one confession. 
When I left home there was a meeting in progress in the new meeting- 
house, Laurel Hill, being conducted by brethren Showalter and Hawley, 
and in which I had participated to some small degree. At the time of my 
leaving there had been nine confessions, with a fair prospect for an excel- 
lent meeting. May God abundantly bless the labors of those brethren, 

and all other faithful ministers of His Word. 

G. W. Abell. 

October i, 1869. 

Dear Brother Parrish : 

The Newport discussion is now reckoned among 

the things that are past. I believe brother D. A. Snow, who was present 
all the time, except perhaps at the opening of Dr. Gilbert's speech on In- 
fant Baptism, proposes to give you an account of it. As I occupied the 
position of one of the debaters, an account of it would not come so well 
from myself, as being rather of an ex parte order. I will be excused, how- 
ever, in making some slight reference to it. 

It commenced, according to agreement, on Tuesday morning, August 
3d. Three days were consumed in discussing the question, " An immer- 
sion into water, and an emersion out of water of the believing penitent, 
into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit," is the one only true 
apostolic and Christian baptism. 

At the conclusion of the third day, by mutual consent, the discussion 
was adjourned over until the 24th of August. On the morning of that day 
we again assembled, and for two days discussed the following : " Infants 
of believing parents are proper subjects of Christian baptism as well asbe- 
lievers." Then two more days on the proposition, ". Baptism administered 
to believing penitents, is for, i. <?., in order to the remission of sins." 

Of course, as on all such occasions, the friends on each side claim the 
victory. But the following facts will have some weight on minds that look 
at things through the medium of common sense. 

1. All our friends expressed themselves satisfied, more than satisfied — 
confirmed in their faith. I have not heard of a single exception to this. 

2. During the period of the discussion in communities, well represented 
at the debate, one hundred persons were brought to the acknowledgment 
of the truth. 

3. Of this number a good sprinkling, if not pouring, was of the Meth- 
odist church. 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 69 

4. The presiding moderator on the first question, the action of baptism, 
Major Samuel Lybrook, a gentleman of considerable intelligence and in- 
fluence, in whom the community have unbounded confidence, showed his 
appreciation of the argument by making the good confession, and with the 
others was buried with Christ in the waters of New river. 

To offset all this, we presume, at the conclusion of the discussion, Mr. 
Quinn, the Methodist minister in charge, read off quite a list of infants to 
be rantized at different points. A grand victory this over the infantile 
forces at least. 

I look upon the whole matter as being a special act in the providence of 
God. It was not of my seeking; it was brought on in my defense of the 
truth by the Methodists themselves. The Great Ruler turned it to the ad- 
vantage of His cause, for which I feel exceedingly grateful in being the 
humble instrument in so good a work. To God and His Word be all the 
praise ! 

By the grace of God the great Goliath of Methodism, together with his 
friends, have received e, lesson they will not forget to the last of their days. 
I predict it will be the last time they will disturb me, at least in this sec- 
tion, in the promulgation and defense of the truth. God give success to 
His Word, until error in all its forms shall be demolished, and the truth 

reign Isupreme in every honest heart. 

G. W. Adell. 

October 3, 1869. 
Dear Brother : 

We had four additions at our meeting at Stony Point ; 

and from a letter received from my kind brother Beck (which I hereby 
acknowledge), the brethren were doing well, and brother Goss lifting his 
voice in eloquent strains in favor of the truth as it is in Jesus. God bless 
him and all the brethren in that section, and may the banner of truth wave 
in victorious folds in all that region. 

The second Lord's day, and week following, we spent with the faithful 
band at Rochelle, Madison county. Here we had the co-operation of the 
old pioneer veteran, brother R. L. Coleman, whose whitened beard marks 
him as one of the fathers of the Reformation in this State. Here we had 
ten additions. At this place, as at almost all the points we visit, the num- 
bers added are increased by Baptist suffrage. " I do not mention this in a 
spirit of sectarian boasting, for I candidly believe that all who believe in 
the one Lord, profess the one faith, and submit to the one baptism, ought 



I 70 BIOGRAPHY . OF 

to be one people; but I am continually hearing of Baptist ministers say- 
ing, we, as a people in Virginia, are going down. Query : If we, as a 
people, while continually receiving numerous accessions from the Bap- 
tists, as well as other religious communities, are going down, where are 
they going ? There are other good Baptist brethren and sisters about Ro- 
chelle, as well as other places, who believe we occupy the true position, 
viz : the union of Christians upon the Bible, and the Bible alone. Let 
them listen to that voice which John heard in the isle of Patmos : " My 
people, come out of her; be not partakers of her sins, lest ye also be par- 
takers of her plagues." 

The third Lord's day, and week following, we spent with our beloved 
brethren and sisters at Somerset, on the Rapid Ann, and were reminded 
of the scenes through which we passed while the army of Northern Vir- 
ginia were encamped in this section, and especially of the Sunday night 
before the awful fight in the wilderness, when between the hours of eleven 
and twelve o'clock at night we buried a number of those poor victimized 
soldiers in the waters of the Rapid Ann. This week, under the auspices 
of peace, we spent a much more agreeable time with these kind-hearted, 
hospitable brethren and sisters. We closed the meetings on Saturday 
morning, upon the banks of this rapid stream, with ten additions, and 
amid many falling tears gave the parting hand to those dear brethren and 
sisters. I regretted that I was a few days too late in reaching this section 
to see my old friend and brother, James W. Goss. I was glad to hear 
from his friends and relatives, whose kindness and hospitality I enjoyed, 
that his health was improving. May God support and comfort him in his 
affliction, and, if consistent with His will, restore him to health and pro- 
long his days for many years in usefulness. 

The fourth Lord's day, by the kindness of Mr. Davis, of Tolersville, 
under'a cloudy sky, and amid falling rain, I visited Gilboa, the field of 
battle for the ensuing week. On Monday we hoisted the old flag, still 
glittering with the star of Bethlehem, and surrounded by a small band of 
old faithful veterans, with their youthful and noble progeny, we com- 
menced the struggle, which closed again on Saturday with eight additions, 
and with feelings of love bid farewell to these kind and hospitable dis- 
ciples, inspired by the blessed hope of a happy meeting in the New Jeru- 
salem, where sorrow and tears and parting will all be forever over. 

So ends the chapter for September, 1869, all of whose moments, on 
their swift pinions, have gone to join the years, of past generations. 




GEO. W. ABELL. 171 

Through the kindness of brother Cosby, I have been conducted to this 
section, Bethany, and in the hospitable abode of brother Dr. Richard 
Bagby, son of our much lamented and beloved brother James Bagby, 
under a weeping sky, am awaiting the kind providence of our Heavenly 
Father, to commence operations in this section. 

May God smile upon you, and give us all a useful and successful cam- 
paign, while the silvery queen of night performs her long and wonted evo- 
lutions during the next four weeks, is the sincere prayer of your brother 

and evangelist, 

G. W. Abell. 

Goshen, Fluvanna, Nov. i, 1869. 
Dear Brother Parrish : 

The last day of October, upon the swift wings of 

time, has taken its departure, to join those that were born before the flood, 
and hailing the virgin light of a new-born November, I take my pen to 
give you — and through the Examiner to the Piedmont brethren — an 
account of my stewardship for the past eight months. 

When I closed my last communication (report for September) I was 
preparing, in the name of the Lord, for an assault upon the powers of 
darkness in the neighborhood of Bethany, Louisa. I found here, as in 
other places, the columns of the faithful, since my last visit, had been 
thinned by the hand of the great destroyer. Brother Thomas, who had 
always stood firmly by my side in my former conflicts at this point, has 
laid aside his armor, and reposes from the toils of the battle field. Young 
brother Hill, with all his prospects of usefulness, after a short campaign, 
has likewise fallen, and like brother Thomas, has left a heart-stricken 
widow with children, and numerous friends to mourn their loss. Old 
sister Sharp has also gone ; ' likewise sister Pate and sister Lassiter, with 
two of her sons. The Lord comfort these mourners, and sanctify their 
afflictions to their eternal salvation. But there still remains a noble little 
band of faithful soldiers at this point. These stood bravely by me during 
the struggles of the first week of October. Eight souls were persuaded 
to come over and join the ranks of the faithful. Four on previous occa- 
sions had been added' by the labors of old brother Shelburne. 

We again had the presence of this old patriarch at this meeting, as well 
as a visit from brother Alexander Bagby and young brother Richardson. 
In this section, as is known, resides our sister Bagby, widow of our much 
lamented brother James Bagby. 



• • 



172 BIOGRAPHY OF 

Will not brother Ainslie, who is so nobly paying a tribute of respect to 
•our old fallen warriors, procure the necessary information, and include 
our excellent brother Bagby in the list ? I trow he will. [It was done.] 

Saturday evening we bade farewell to these dear Bethany brethren and 
sisters ; and in company with old brother Shelburne, and in his convey- 
ance, set out for his hospitable abode, where I spent the night, enjoying 
the society and kindness of himself and his amiable and noble sister wife. 
In consequence of the losses of the past war, and the treachery of those 
in whom he had confided, brother Shelburne, from a state of competency, if 
not of independence, has been reduced to a state of poverty. Surely the 
brotherhood will not permit a man, whose long life has been devoted to 
the cause of God, in his old age to come to suffer for the comforts of life. 

The second Lord's day in October, we commenced our meetings at 
Ground Squirrel, Hanover. Though an unfavorable morning, we had a 
fine congregation — brethren and sisters from a distance. Slash and Inde- 
pendence sent in their representation. I have promised the brethren at 
those points,. the Lord willing, next spring to give them a meeting ; with 
the understanding, however, that the Tide-water evangelist spend the 
same length of time in the Piedmont district that I do in his field. I wish 
this chain of .mine, that keeps me within a certain distance of the eastern 
foot of the mountain, were so lengthened that I could go down a little more 
freely into that Tide-water region. I have a good many children in the 
faith down there tbmt I should like to be seeing after sometimes, and 
should also like to be having some more fruit among them as well as 
among these Piedmont Gentiles. Being myself a Virginian, I feel that I 
am debtor to all Virginians^ wherever they live and breathe and move ; and 
though the staple of the chain remains fixed in the foot of the mountain 
(fiede montis), I want the chain itself so lengthened, that, by the grace of 
God, I can peregrinate the whole state, as in the good old days of yore I 
have been doing during the prime and vigor of my life ; and if this is not 
speedily done, I shall not. get to see all. my brethren and sisters and dear 
children once more before I get to be an old man. 

The eloquent preacher, Death, upon his pale horse, has likewise visited 
Ground Squirrel since my last meeting here. Poor brother Chiles, from 
whom I have received so much kindness, has gone over the Jordan, leav- 
ing my dear sister Chiles a desolate widow. Poor sister Goodall, the 
widow of our friend and brother Colonel Goodall, has likewise had to 
mourn with bitter tears the death of her beloved daughters, Edmonia and 




GEO. W. ABELL. I 73 

Ellen, in whose hearts her heart was bound up. Brother Patnian, during 
the same period, has married and buried another amiable, interesting and 
Christian wife, leaving hinva widower a second time. Others have like- 
wise joined the pale caravansary, as it steadily moves along through the 
desert of time. 

Saturday night, I presume between ten and eleven o'clock, the battle 
closed at Ground Squirrel, with -twenty-six souls released from the power 
of the enemy, and rejoicing in the pardon of the gospel, the hearts of our 
dear brethren and sisters having been made glad seeing their beloved ones 
bow to the sceptre of Prince Emanuel. Eleven of these were the fruits 
of Saturday nightis meeting. I hated very much to leave a field where 
the gospel was achieving such splendid conquests ; but duty to another 
point compelled me next morning, through the kindness of brother John 
Dick Gillman, to set out in company with him in his vehicle for Octagon, 
some fiften miles distant, where we commenced the proclamation of the 
Word, third Lord's day in October. In this section, embracing Perkins- 
ville, and the surrounding country, we labored two weeks, and the bless- 
ing of the Lord being upon us, with good results. We organized a church 
in this neighborhood, there being rather above thirty recruits, I believe, 
added to the numbers here before; they begin with about fifty members. 
I know of no point with better prospect of usefulness than this. We were 
treated with marked kindness by some of our Baptist friends, as well as 
those of Dr. Thomas, having preached at the private residences' of some 
of both, and enjoyed their Christian hospitality. I respectfully, and in all 
good faith, make a proposition to them all, that we sink a grave as deep as 
hell, and put therein Thomasism, Campbellism, Baptistism, Methodism, 
Presbyterian ism, Episcopalianism, and every other humanism, and cover 
them up so deep that the devil would never be able to scratch them up 
again, and that we all unite together as Christians upon the Bible alone, 
and love one another as brethren and sisters, and co-operate together to 
build up the cause of Christ. I heard but one dissenting voice to this pro- 
position, and that from an old sister, who said she wanted old Baptistism to 
stand; she could not agree for it to go down into that deep grave. But, said 
the great Messiah, " Every plant which my Heavenly Father hath not 
planted shall be rooted up," old Baptistism with the rest. 

We trust the Lord will smile upon this infant community, beginning, as 
they do, under favorable circumstances — a membership reaching near 



1 74 BIOGRAPHY OF 

fifty, our young brother Parker Richardson evangelist, brother Dabney 
elder, and brother Hoy deacon, with consistent, zealous lives on the part 
of the members, and the blessing of the Lord, they may be instrumental 
in accomplishing much good. May God abundantly bless them. 

With good wishes and prayers for all the preachers, and for God's bless- 
ing upon you as editor, and the hope that all these new recruits, as well as 
old ones, may subscribe for the Examiner, I am your brother and co- 
laborer, 

G. W. Abell. 









GEO. W. ABELL. I 75 



CHAPTER XII. 

Brother Abell's evangelizing work during the year 1870, including a visit 
to east Tennessee. 

FN 1870, Brother Abell extended his labors 
-*- into East Tennessee, at the earnest solicita- 
tion of the brethren in that section. The desire 
he expresses in his letter, and the appeals he 
made to the Tennessee brethren to erect a house 
of worship in Jonesboro', seems to have stimu- 
lated them to greater zeal, and, in 1874, they 
completed a neat, substantial brick house in that 
place. In September of that year, the Virginia 
and East Tennessee Co-operation met in this 
house; at which meeting brother Abell was ex- 
pected. The brethren were greatly disappointed 
at his failure to attend — and sadly grieved when, 
but a few weeks after, his lifeless body was borne 
through their town to its last resting place. 

February i, 1870. 
Dear Brother Parrish : 

When I wrote you last, we had a meeting in 
progress at Snowville. This meeting closed with the happy result of 
twenty-five accessions. The enemy's ranks, as before stated, were very 



I76 BIOGRAPHY OF 

hard to break ; but when broken, successful advantage was taken of his 
condition by brethren Showalter, Hawley and Snow, and the brethren and 
sisters were made to rejoice in seeing their beloved children and friends 
rescued from the thraldom of his tyranny. 

On the 14th of January I left home, and on the morning of the 15th 
arrived at Bristol, a town it requires a portion of two states (Virginia and 
Tennessee) to contain, and immediately commenced operations at this 
point. In this vicinity resides our excellent brother Samuel H. Millard, 
one of the truly excellent of this earth, who knows how to merge self and 
selfish interests in the great cause of our Redeemer. May God long spare 
his life, and make him useful to the worhi and the church. I visited his 
hospitable abode, and made the acquaintance of his amiable wife, a help- 
meet for him. 

While at Bristol, we made as head-quarter's the hospitable abodes of 
brother York and Colonel Fulkerson, two gentlemen of intelligence and 
distinction in the legal profession, from whom, as well as from their in- 
telligent and amiable consorts (one of whom, Mrs. York, a Presbyterian, 
the other, Mrs. Fulkerson, an Episcopalian), I received many marks of 
kind attention. Upon all of whom, with the aged ^grandmother, and 
the tender ones of both families, may heaven's richest blessings rest. In- 
deed, I have never visited a more hospitable and friendly community than 
this. We had a fine hearing, with seventeen valuable additions, and 
closed with much , interest. May God abundantly smile upon all these 
dear brethren, sisters and friends, and remember them for their many acts 

of kindness. 

Affectionately, G. W. Abell. 

Buffalo Institute, Carter Co., Tenn., March 6, 1870. 
» 
Dear Brother Parrish : 

When I wrote you last, I was at Johnson's De- 
pot, Washington county, holding a meeting. This is the residence of the 
two old veteran pioneers, the fathers of the Reformation in this section, 
brothers Wright and Miller; the former having passed his fourscore, and 
the latter his threescore and ten. 

I made the hospitable abode % of brother Miller my head-quarters while 
sojourning here, and a lovelier pair I have never met with than this old • 
brother and his amiable consort ; both old, and well stricken in years, firm 
and devoted to the good cause, blessed with the good things of this life, 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 7 7 

liberal in the use of them. Bereft of all their dear children, they lack 
but one thing to leave an immortal name behind, and that is, to erect a 
comfortable house of worship at Johnson's, as a monument of their devo- 
tion to the cause of Christ. God incline them so to do. 

From Johnson's I went to Jonesboro', one 6f the oldest towns in Ten- 
nessee, on the East Tennessee and Virginia railroad, the county seat of 
Washington county. At this place our brethren have no place of wor- 
ship; but we were treated with great courtesy and kindness by the different 
religious denominations, Methodist, North and South, and Baptists, #11 of 
whose places of worship we occupied, with the privilege of the continued 
use of them. Our brethren ought to have a house of worship at this point, 
and all they need to accomplish it is to make the effort. Indeed, our East 
Tennessee brethren have too much neglected the towns ; while strong in 
the country they are weak in the towns. One might suppose that theirs is 
the God of the countiy and not of towns. In the days of the Messiah, 
He thought the gospel should be preached to "the towns and villages" as 
well as the country. May our brethren here be taught by His wisdom. 

This town is the residence of the three sons of our old beloved brother 
Grisham, Edward, Fuller and Mat; the first the editor of the Union Flag, 
the second the clerk of the county court, and the third a member of the 
legal profession; and from all of whom, together with their amiable com- 
panions, I received many tokens of kindness, for which may the blessings 
of God rest upon them. While at Jonesboro' I made Captain Grisham's 
(whose accomplished companion is a sister of brother Clemmitt of Rich- 
mond) my head-quarters. To him I am especially indebted, not only for 
the kind hospitality of himself and lady, but also for his friendly notices 
of our meetings through his journal, and supplying me with news through 
his exchanges. May the brethren soon have a neat, comfortable chapel at 
Jonesboro', and these three brothers have an opportunity of exhibiting 
their devotion to the good cause, and thus cheer the heart of their old gray- 
headed patriarchal father as he descends to the tomb. 

On Saturday before the second Lord's day in February, in company 
with Brother Millard, I commenced a meeting in the vicinity of Limestone 
Depot. Here we found a small but noble band of Disciples. We made 
as our home, during this meeting, brother John Miller's, who, with his be- 
loved companion, are two of the best people I have ever met wijh; indeed, 
as it seemed to me, about as good as humanity could well be. We visited 
other brethren and sisters, and found them all kind, hospitable and affec- 

12 



I yS BIOGRAPHY OF 

• 
tionate. Though the weather during a part of the week was quite in- 
clement, we continued the meetings day and night, and closed on Saturday 
with nine valuable accessions. 

On the morning of the third Lord's day in February, in company with 
brother Fuller Grisham's son and another youth, I set out from Jonesboro', 
for Boon's Creek, some seven miles distant, over rough roads and under 
a heavy fall of snow. Here we met with brother Mclnturf, the regular 
preacher at this point, and brethren Maupin and Ferguson, of Virginia. 
These two latter brethren had been preaching on Buffalo Ridge, a few 
miles distant, the week preceding my arrival. Brother Mclnturf having 
been called home, in company with the two brethren before named, we 
went to work; and nobly did they discharge their duty. It was a very 
disagreeable week, raining and snowing; but through rain, snow and mud, 
on we worked, day and night, alternating the meetings between Boon's 
Creek and Buffalo Ridge. 

While about Boon's Creek, I made brother Alfred Crouch's my home. 
I am satisfied of the truth of one of two propositions — either We have a 
great many good brethren and sisters all over the country, or I am very 
fortunate in falling among those that are good. Brother and sister Crouch 
are among the choice spirits of earth. In fact, brother Crouch's family, 
take it all together, is one of the best families I ever met with; and this 
is the concurrent testimony of all who know them. 

I left on Saturday for my meeting on Cherokee, which commenced on 
the fourth Lord's day, leaving brother Maupin to close the fight and capture 
the wounded. He joined me on Cherokee, Lord's day evening, having 
closed on Buffalo Ridge with fourteen additions and much interest. The 
enemy fought with great desperation at that point, disputing every inch of 
ground with deep -toned sullenness. One night they locked the door 
against us, though a free house ; and the Tuesday night after we left they 
laid it in ashes. What deed of virulence and violence is sectarian bigotry 
and hatred incapable of performing ! ? Wo to the inhabiters of the earth 
and the sea ! for the devil is come down to you, having great wrath, be- 
cause he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 

We had a delightful meeting on Cherokee. The brethren here are poor 
in the goods of this world, but rich in faith and love and zeal. Not to 
mention others, brother Hartsell, the resident preacher, has a heart over- 
flowing with love to God and zeal for man's eternal interest. He looks 
back to the days when the cause here had but a few adherents, and was 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 79 

much despised; now he rejoices to see so many congregated under the 
banner of the cross. God has given him the richest earthly boon, a noble, 
loving, devoted wife. Brother Major Dinton, his son-in-law, and his 
Christian wife, are made after the same pattern. Brother Dinton is just 
beginning to hold forth the word of life; may God abundantly bless him, 
and make him an instrument of great good. Here, also, we met brother 
Scott, who preaches regularly for the brethren, with a little body, but a 
big, warm heart, whom the brethren should take from the school-house 
and keep regularly preaching; his son also lives here, a whole-souled 
man, with a noble wife; then there are brethren O' Bryan, and Miller, and 
Jones, and Britt, and many others, with their loving wives, though poor in 
this world, yet with nobler hearts than have often beat beneath mitred 
and sceptred heads. May God abundantly bless them all. 

Up to Friday night, there had been four additions, the meeting still in 
progress with interest, when I left these dear brethren and sisters, took the 
cars at Jonesboro,' spent Saturday night with old brother and sister Miller, 
of Johnson's depot, and on Lord's day morning (ist of March) was con- 
ducted to this place, Buffalo Institute, by the kindness of brother Young, 
an Israelite in whom is no guile, and whose praise is in the mouths of all 
who know him. 

I am now at brother Barker's, the founder of the Buffalo Institute. This 
is a romantic spot. The waters of the Buffalo, heading among the hills 
to the south-west, some six miles distant, come meandering along in grace- 
ful curves, laving the feet of the majestic hills which shoot up in irregular 
proportions hard by their margin. 

But I must bring to a conclusion this communication, already too much 

protracted, for which I ask your indulgence, as well as that of your 

readers. 

Fraternally, G. W. Abell. 

Snowville, March 27, 1870. 
Dear Brother Par risk : 

When I wrote you last, I was at the Buffalo In- 
stitute, on Buffalo creek, Carter county, Tennessee, of which our brother 
Barker is the principal. In this communication I took occasion to com- 
mend this institution to the patronage of our brethren and friends. I trust 
the suggestion will be heeded, as the interests of the good cause in that 
section depend upon it. Of brother Barker, I cannot speak in terms too 
high ; while doubtless he has his imperfections, as we all have, yet he is 



1 80 BIOGRAPHY OF 

kind-hearted, mild, sympathetic, a polished gentleman and Christian, 
which is about the best and most that can be said of frail humanity. I 
made hi^ hospitable abode principal head-quarters while at this point, but 
also visiting other brethren and sisters in the neighborhood, from whom 
I received many acts of kindness. This community evidently exhibits 
unmistakable marks of polish and refinement, as a reflex influence of the 
institute established among them. Brother Campbell, son of old brother 
Abraham Campbell (who labored with me some twenty years ago, and who 
has since gone to his rest), met me at this point. I am glad to hear a 
good report of him, that he is doing a good work for the Lord. He had, 
as a traveling companion, a brother Crosswhite, a preaching brother from 
his section, of an amiable disposition. Brother Dinton, from Cherokee, 
also met me at this point. I continued the meetings until Saturday, up to 
which time there were fourteen additions ; brother Barker preaching again 
on Lord's day evening, gaining four more, making in all eighteen. On 
Saturday, in company with brother Young, who resides near Johnson's 
depot, and who is ever seeking opportunities to do good and oblige others, 
we set out for that station, the residence of old brother Miller and his 
wife, who, as before stated, was one of the old pioneers of the cause in . 
this section, and the Ajax Telamon of his day. We hope yet, God wil- 
ling, to preach the gospel to the people about Johnson's depot, in a house 
of which brother and sister Miller shall have the honor of being the 
builders and makers. 

On the second Lord's day in March we commenced a meeting at 
Weaver's meeting-house, Sullivan county, Tennessee, the native neighbor- 
hood of our brother Millard, and where he has labored for a quarter 
of a century. Stern Winter wielded her frozen sceptre during the greater 
portion of this week, with, almost undisputed sway. Nevertheless, un- 
der that wintry reign, the meeting continued by day and by night. The 
people seemed determined that I should not be more punctual than they. 
I could perceive, as I entered the house to seek protection from the shiver- 
ing blast, the smile upon the countenance of the congregation, as it leaped 
and played from face to face, as though they said "Well, old man, you are 
here, are you? Well, so are we." Here, as well as at all the other points 
visited, I received much kindness at the hands of the dear brethren and 
sisters, visiting them as far as I could, but having head-quarters with 
brother and sister Blevins, who are without the pleasures and anxieties of 
domestic melodeons, and therefore their neat, little, quiet cottage was the 



GEO. W. ABELL. l8l 

better fitted for reading and meditation. The meeting closed here on 
Friday, with seven additions. 

Saturday before the third Lord's day, commenced a meeting at North 
Corner House, Washington county, Virginia. Here I was met by breth- 
ren Millard and Ferguson. It is needless to repeat here what has been 
said concerning all the other points in regard to the kindness, hospitality 
and Christian affection of the brethren and sisters, abounding here, as 
they do elsewhere, in these divine graces.- We closed the meeting here 
with two additions. Friday evening, I took the train at Abingdon; and on 
Saturday, with the blessing of God, found myself at home, after an absence 
of ten weeks, in the circle of the loved ones there, of whose presence 
and society I have learned to deny myself, for the blessing of Him who 
gave up all, and suffered all, to save a dying world. 

Thus closes my winter campaign, resulting in about one hundred addi- 
tions, all of which, I believe, have been reported, with the exception of 

twenty-seven. 

Fraternally, G. W. Abell. 

Snowville, April 25, 1870. 
Brother Parrish : 

I have just re%rned from a trip to Giles and Craig. 

I left home Friday, April 1st; preached at Newport, Giles, Saturday, and 
commenced a meeting at Gravel Hill, Craig county, first Lord's day in 
April. Here I was met by brother Wm. Hoffman, the resident preacher 
in this section, a good man, and devoted to the cause. We kept our meet- 
ing up at this point and Level Green, some three or four miles distant, 
until Friday night, closing at the latter place with fourteen confessions ; all 
of whom, I believe, were baptized, including one Tunker and some Pedo- 
baptists, as usual. I had a very pleasant time with the excellent breth- 
ren and sisters of this section, making my home while there with my old 
friend and brother, Joseph Reynolds, and his Christian wife, sister Rey- 
nolds; but visiting others of the kind and hospitable brethren and sisters, 
a goodly number of whom are my own children in the faith, ranging from 
fifteen years old and under, counting from the time they were born the 
second time. 

Saturday, again repassed Newport, delivering them another discourse 
on my way to Stony Creek. Here we commenced our meeting on second 
Lord's day, continuing it until the next Saturday, when we closed at the 
water, with twenty-one confessions,' all of whom were baptized, with the 



1 82 BIOGRAPHY OF 

exception, I believe, of two. This is the point at which we had a large 
number of additions last summer, during the interim of the Newport 
debate. We were glad to find them walking in the truth, all having been 
faithful, with the exception of two. 

This is the region designated by Major Ball as "the dark corner." ' 
Well, in one respect. at least, we may admit the truth of the allegation; 
that is, for one generation it had been under the clouds and darkness of 
Pedo-baptist dominion; but "the people that sat in darkness have seen a 
great light; and to them that sat in the region of the shadow of death a 
great light has dawned upon them." The light, of God's eternal truth has 
been shed among them, and the clouds and darkness of human traditions 
and the commandments of men have fled before it. " Mene, mene, teket 
upharsin" by a mysterious hand, has been inscribed upon the walls of 
sectarianism in this quarter. A goodly number of those added during this 
meeting were a gain from the ranks of the Pedo-baptists — one old lady, 
past her four-score, had been among the Methodists upwards of three -score 
years. (I wonder if Major Ball would think this long, enough to entitle 
her to a "place in his communion?) During our stay here we made as head- 
quarters the hospitable abode of old Mr. Philip Lybrook, the father of our 
brother Samuel Lybrook — his aged mother, together with five others of 
he household, having been among the number of those baptized during 
this meeting. 

The third Lord's day, and Monday and Tuesday following, we were at 
Sugar Grove. The weather was very severe during this period; and 
though I was on the ground with my body guard, the enemy kept himself 
within his intrenchments, and we left on Tuesday evening in company 
with our young preaching brother^ Chapman Lucas, for Clover Hollow, 
some two or three miles from Newport, where we preached Wednesday,. 
Thursday and Friday, with five confessions; again at Newport, Friday 
night, to a large and attentive audience; left Saturday morning for home, 
leaving young brother Lucas to close up matters in this section, from whom 
I hope to hear a good report. 

In this tour of three weeks, as you see, we ha/I forty confessions in favor 
of the truth, and this from communities well represented at the Newport 
debate, and again a good sprinkling (if not pouring of them) from the 
Pedo-baptist ranks. 

As I had before predicted, \ was not disturbed in this region in my ad- 
vocacy of the truth. I tell you they "have had discussion enough in this 



GEO. W. ABELL. 1 83 

section; they don't want any more; they can't afford it. Major Ball's 
bombastic communication in the Baltimore Episcopal Methodist, so com- 
pletely silenced by the certificate sent on for publication in the Examiner, 
is nothing more than a flourish of trumpets and firing of blank cartridges, 
to cover what they know and feel to be a most disastrous Waterloo and a 
most disgraceful retreat. The hollow banter, that if " Messrs. Abell & Co. 
are not satisfied, &c, Dr. Gilbert is willing to duplicate the discussion;" 
Major Ball knew when he penned it we would scorn to accept. We not 
satisfied ! We must be very hard to satisfy if not satisfied with a contest • 
in which we did not lose a single man, woman or child, killed, crippled, 
wounded or taken — we challenge them to specify the first one — and in 
which we gained one hundred during the period of the discussion, in com- 
munities well represented at the debate — a good sprinkling, if not pouring, 
of the number from the Pedo-baptist ranks; one-fourth of the whole num- 
ber (one-fourth of one hundred=twenty-five), from the best information I 
can get, being of that class, headed by one of the presiding moderators, 
and second in respectability and intelligence to none of the others. I re- 
peat, if a victory of this kind, gained by and for the truth, would not 
satisfy us, I think we should be hard to satisfy. But let their whole fra- 
ternity distinctly understand, if they desire, they can again be accommo- 
dated, and let them know that Elders J. Showalter, D. A. Ammen and 
B. F. Ammen, Snowville, Pulaski county, Virginia, constitute a standing 
committee, with whom they can open, carry on and complete negotiations 
whenever they think proper. Only two new conditions I impose and re- 
quire — 

1. That they confine themselves to the truth in their publications. 

2. That they keep the foul breath of slander from the pure characters of 
honest-hearted people, who may be convinced of the errors of sectarian- 
ism, be buried in the liquid grave, and arise therefrom, to enjoy the liberty 
of the gospel of Christ, untrammelled by the fetters of the doctrines and 

commandments of men. 

Fraternally, G. W. Abell. 

P. S. — I have been requested to say, that upon a diligent search, that 
score of babies that Elder Quinn gave notice at the close of our debate he 
would baptize (alias rantize or cheize) has not been found. Whether this 
failure of their forthcoming is to be attributed to the manly defence of Dr. 
Gilbert, of that popish dogma, or to some other cause, " deponent saith 
not." 

G. W. Abell. 



1 84 



BIOGRAPHY OF 



To the Disciples of Christ assembled in Convention with the congregation 
at Bethpage. 

Beloved Brethren: — With the beginning of the present month, 
May, I began operations' in Eastern Virginia, holding meetings at North 
Garden and Free Union, Albemarle ; also delivering two discourses in the 
neighborhood of Keswick, being prevented from holding a series of meet- 
ings in the vicinity of the latter, in consequence of the house of worship 
having been sold and removed. Having a few days of unoccupied time, 
in consequence of the disappointment about Keswick, I commenced a 
meeting at this place, Stanardsville, Greene' county, which is still in pro- 
gress. We have had rather a stormy time of it here. As you observe 
from my reports, it is no unusual occurrence for me to be engaged in these 
conflicts, and as some may conclude therefrom, that I am too aggressive in 
my mode of preaching, I am glad that brother Parker Richardson was 
present, and a witness to all I had said and done, resulting first, in an 
attack upon me by the preacher in charge, Mr. Tucker ; and secondly, to 
my being turned out of the meeting-house. I hope the Convention, for 
their own satisfaction, will hear a statement from him in regard to the 
matter. The truth is, the word of God, uncompromised and uncompro- 
misingly, must be proclaimed, let the results be what they may ; error 
whether in high or low places, must not be spared. This I am endeavor- 
ing humbly, respectfully, affectionately and firmly to do ; hence the ele- 
ments of opposition, so frequently stirred up. In this I have some very 
illustrious predecessors : to wit, Ehjah the Prophet, John the Baptist, and 
the Apostle Paul. "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" said the apostate 
king Ahab, to that man of burning zeal and devotion, Elijah the Prophet. 
" It is not I," responds the Prophet, "that trouble Israel, but thou and thy 
wicked father's house, in that you have forsaken the commandments of 
the Lord, and followed Balaam." "Those that have turned the world 
upside down, have come hither also, whom Jason hath received ; and 
these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar," &c, said the oppressing 
Jews, in regard to Paul and Silas, in Thessalonica. God and Balaam, 
Christ and Belial, Truth and Error, the word of God, and the command- 
ments of men, can never be at peace; there must be an eternal warfare 
between them until one or the other is overcome. And thrice blessed 
shall he be who shall be found contending with the former ; but wo ! wo ! 
wo ! to him who, like Balaam, shall be found identified with the latter. 



GEO. W. ABELL. 1 85 

The number of additions, embracing the various classes, during my 
winter and spring campaigns, up to the beginning of this meeting, is about 
one hundred and sixty-five. 

Our brother Cutler, who has been with me for two or three days, will 
inform you of the state of this community, resulting from the conflict orig- 
inating in the attack made on me by some of the leaders of the Methodist 
church in this place and vicinity. As the meeting is still in progress, I 
will defer* reporting it definitely until my next monthly report for the 
Examiner. 

I had promised myself the pleasure of mingling with you, and partici- 
pating with you in your deliberations. But a sense of duty to the interests 
of the cause at this place admonishes me to remain here, and sacrifice my 
anticipated pleasure to the stern dictates of duty. Though absent in body, 
my heart shall be with you, and my prayers for you. 

May the Almighty Father of all mercies preside over you, the Good 
Spirit guide all your deliberations, and may they result in great good to 
our blessed Redeemer's cause. 

With sincere Christian affection for you all, and ardent desires for your 
prayers, that God may bless me in my humble efforts to advance the in- 
terests of the Messiah's kingdom, 

I am truly your brother and evangelist, 

G. W. Abell. 

SCOTTSVILLE, AUGUST I, 1870. 
Brethren Cutler and Kent : 

As noted in a postscript to my June report, 

the last day's work there reported, the organization of the church at 
King's chapel, Hanover, more properly belongs to this (July's. report), it 
having been performed on the first day of July. This congregation, be- 
ginning with about fifty, is composed partly of persons baptized at the 
meeting then closing, others baptized at a former meeting at this point, 
and others from Zion, Independence and Slash. 

Friday evening, July 1st, left the neighborhood of the chapel; spent the 
night with our beloved patriarchal brother Shelburne and his excellent 
spouse; found him much enfeebled from disease and warm weather, and 
broken down from preaching. Saturday, proceeded to Perkinsville, being 
conducted by our young brother Charlie James. Here we commenced 
our meeting first Lord's day in July, and continued it at this and con- 
tiguous points through the week, the burden of the labor falling prin- 



1 86 BIOGRAPHY OF 

cipally upon brethren Richardson and Dabney, two true and noble men,, 
devoted to the truth as it is in Jesus, being myself so completely prostrated 
by extreme debility that it was actually necessary for me to remain upon 
light duty. 

Saturday, July 9th, by the kindness of Mr. Vashon, in company with 
brother Richardson, was "sent on our way" to brother Richardson's 
father's, where we spent the night ; and by him, Lord's day morning, 
conveyed to our appointment at Forest Grove, where another week was 
spent in proclaiming " the unsearchable riches of Christ" to the people 
of this section. 

Goochland, at this time, presents a very inviting field for the proclama- 
tion of the word. At the county seat, and throughout its whole length 
and breadth, the primitive gospel should be proclaimed. The people are 
getting tired of sectarianism in all its forms, and asking for the truth. Let 
the brethren here, as elsewhere, be faithful to their calling, and victory 
will be found perching on the divine banner. The Lord willing, I wish 
to give them another hearing in the fall. 

Saturday, 16th, through the kindness of brother Dr. Edmund Pendle- 
ton, "a chip from the same block" of his father, Dr. Mat., I was "sent 
on my way" as far as brother Desper's, of Fluvanna; and by him, the 
"wheel-horse" of Goshen, sent to Palmyra, my appointment for the third 
Lord's day. Here, with a fine hearing and excellent prospect for good, 
I was compelled to close up on Tuesday evening, having very little more 
strength than was sufficient to walk to the Court-house and stand up after 
getting there. 

Thursday, by the kindness of my^friends at Palmyra, I was conveyed to 
brother Hoard's, of Albemarle, where I remained .through the remainder 
of the week. Through the kind attention of the very kind and hospita- 
ble Christian family, and the skill of brother Dr. Robert Hoard, and 
the blessing of the Lord, I found myself so much improved by Lord's day 
as to be able to meet my appointment at Slate Hill, the fourth Sunday. 
Though the morning was inclement, yet we found a good congregation 
assembled, brother Dillard on the ground, pretty well saturated with the 
morning showers, in company with brother Davis, of Scottsville, and two 
of the young and lovely sisters with them. 

Feeling the indispensable need of rest and mountain air and water, and 
admonished by so many kind physicians, I determined to deliver but one 
discourse on this occasion, with the promise, the Lord willing, to endeavor 



GEO. W. ABELL. 1 87 

to meet brother Dillard here again at his regular meeting, fourth Lord's 
day in September, when we hope, God willing, under more favorable aus- 
pices, to protract the meeting. Our efforts, however, with the blessing of 
God, were not without success, brother Hoard's youngest daughter, an 
amiable young lady, having made the confession, and brother George 
Hoard's wife, an intelligent sister of the Baptist church, having united 
with us. 

Monday morning, bright and early, with the reins in his hand, brother 
Geeorge Hoard rolled me into Charlottesville, where I met the smiling 
faces and received the cordial embraces of some of the old veterans of 
the fortress at this point ; visited the family of my kind and generous bro- 
ther, A. P. Abell, a Baptist, "every inch of him," and, like ntyself, on 
the invalid list; got aboard a coach behind the steam-horse about 2 o'clock 
P. M.; passed the scenes of my childhood, boyhood and youth; stop- 
ping now and then for the steam-horse to blow, give him wood to eat 
and water to drink; tarrying in Lynchburg long enough to change baggage 
and get tickets, and then, exchanging the Orange and Alexandria for the 
Virginia and Tennessee steed, away we went over the hills of Bedford and 
the valleys of Roanoke — night, with her sable shades, closing upon us, 
and, about 11 o'clock P. M., I found myself at Christiansburg Depot, 
Montgomery county, where 1 was met by my son, John D. Abell, whence 
I was conveyed by him, under the sentinelship of the bright stars above, 
which, with silvery eye, stood guard on the blue ethereal firmament on high, 
to our humble home on the limpid waters of Little river, where I found a 
kind Father was still preserving my loved ones, Luna being now con- 
suming the silvery oil of her fourth lamp since I had'bowed together with 
them around our family altar, and committed them to that God whose I 
am, and whom I serve. 

Upon my arrival in my adopted county, Montgomery, I found that 
Christ was still alive in this section : brethren Shelor, Showalter and Gip- 
son having a successful meeting in progress at Laurel ; and as I always 
like to have a hand in that kind of work, I found myself breaking in upon 
my anticipated time of rest and recreation, and with them participating in 
the toils and pleasures of this meeting. The truth is, I have long since 
come to the conclusion, there is not much rest for me on this side of the 
Jordan. Too much work to do and to be done, to lie and sleep on our 
arms here. But, glory to the Lamb of God, " there remains a rest for the 
people of God," when the labors and toils of life are closed. 



1 88 BIOGRAPHY OF 

Yesterday we commenced a meeting at New Hope, in this vicinity; had 
six confessions, which closes our labors for the month of July, all of whose 
days' and hours, minutes and seconds, are forever sped, with the awful re- 
sponsibilities that cluster about them. Brethren, are you prepared to ac- 
count to the "Judge of the quick and dead," for the manner in which 
you have improved them? O, Lord, help us to discharge our duty. 

In looking over my memoranda, I see that in meetings participated in 
by myself, in company with other brethren during the month of July, there 
have been about thirty-six additions. 

Fraternally, G. W. Abell. 

Brethren Cutler and Kent : 

The labors of the month of August began at 
New Hope, Montgomery county, some three miles from my residence, 
being a continuation of my meeting in progress there the last of July. 
Friday night preached in Snowville, and Saturday morning started for 
Stony Creek, Giles county. I would not fail to state here the invaluable 
assistance rendered by brothers Showalter, Hawley and Gipson in the 
meetings in Montgomery. The meeting commenced in Snowville Friday 
evening, was. continued by them with successful results. 

In the neighborhood of Stony Creek 1 was joined by our young preach- 
ing brother, Chapman Lucas, who nobly stood by me in the battles in this 
section. In consequence of the failure of his health he had to leave col- 
lege early last spring, but he has not been sleeping on his arms ; bravely 
has he been bearing the banner of Truth, and placing it upon the ramparts 
of error and infidelity. May God be with him and strengthen his hands, 
and confirm his heart, and raise up thousands more like him to bless a 
benighted race. 

We had a good meeting at Stony Creek, closing Friday at the waters ; 
preaching Friday night at Giles Court-house, Saturday at the Narrows, 
and then on for Piney Grove, Monroe county, West Virginia, where we 
commenced our meeting second Lord's day in August. Here we found 
the Devil strongly intrenched. We have at this point a little band of 
noble souls, and with the blessing of God they will yet witness the 
triumph of truth. Here, also, for the first time we met our brother Baber, 
and I assure you he is a whole souled man, with a big heart, and devoted 
to the cause of God. Brother Baber is an excellent, preacher, and one of 
earth's noblest sons'. The brethren of Monroe ought to call him from his 



GEO. W. ABELL. 189 

earthly vocation, put him jp the vineyard of the Lord, and keep him 
there. Never shall I forget the splendid charges made against the ranks 
of the King's enemies, and the sweet smiles that played over his noble 
face are still fresh to my vision. 

After a few days of hard fighting at Piney Grove, and a few conquests 
of truth, we set out for Springfield. At the latter place my especial friend, 
Dr. Gilbert, now elder in this district, had devoted three hours in a ha- 
rangue against the proper action of baptism, attempting to show that 
immersion was not Christian baptism, and two hours to show that infants 
were the proper subjects. 

" And there was darkness over the land from the sixth to the ninth 
hour;" the same space of time that the Doctor had Christ hanging on the 
cross again, in the grove at Springfield, in the eyes of a large audience. 
O, blessed Saviour, was it not enough that thine enemies did crucify thee 
on the hill of Calvary ? How long, O, how long, will thy professed 
friends continue to "crucify thee afresh, and put thee to an open shame ? ; ' 
Tljjs fight was brought on by skirmishing between the Baptist and Metho- 
dist lines. I was invited by our own brethren and the Baptists to make a 
reply to the Doctor, which I did on Thursday and Friday. We had a 
good attendance of the ministry : four Methodist preachers, one Presbyte- 
rian, one anti-Missionary Baptist, a brother Houchens, an excellent man ; 
three Missionary Baptists, brothers Williams, Sweeny and Campbell, who 
stood firmly by me in my defence of God's word and his institutions, and 
besides these, my especial body guard, brothers Baber and Lucas, in 
all making the apostolic number, twelve. I was pleased to learn that my 
apology for the apostolic institution was altogether satisfactory, both to our 
own and our Baptist brethren. The truth is, we ought to be one people. 
Planting ourselves firmly, unitedly, upon the word of God, we would 
sweep the last vestige of sectarianism from the very face of the earth, and 
send the Devil howling back to hell, from whence he came and where he 
belongs. God speed the day. 

On the third Lord's day commenced a meeting at Prospectus, a Baptist 
house in the vicinity of the Red Sulphur Springs, where brothers Baber 
and Lucas have been doing an excellent work. Here we had an excel- 
lent meeting, and accessions from the world, Roman Catholic, Methodist, 
Tunker and Baptist, and in the midst of the interest had to pull up stakes, 
and set out for other engagements. Thursday night preached at Peter's 
Town, in the Baptist house ; spent the night with brother Williams, the 



1 90 BIOGRAPHY OF 

resident Baptist minister ; Friday at the Narrows again; Friday night at 
Giles Court-house ; Saturday, attended by brother Lybrook, returned to 
Stony Creek; and Saturday evening, accompanied by brother Sam Lucas, 
set out for our appointment at Piney Grove, Montgomery county. Preached 
here fourth Lord's day, and Monday and Tuesday at the log church; and 
Tuesday evening returned home to my dear beloved ones, so much drawn 
to my own heart from my continued separation from them. 

Thus closes my campaign for the three summer mouths — June, July, 
August. The whole number of additions during these three months, in 
connection with the labors of other brethren, under the blessing of God, 
has been one hundred and eighty-three; of these sixty-eight have been 
reported in former communications, and the one hundred and fifteen 
others now reported. God be praised. Amen! 

Affectionately and fraternally, 

G. W. Abell. 

Goshen, Fluvanna, Oct. 1870. 
Brethren Cutler and Kent ; 

Beloved Brethren : — It becomes my duty, as well as privilege, to 
record my labors for another month. 

First Lord's day, September, commenced a meeting at -Auburn, Mont- 
gomery county. Here we met our beloved and justly revered brother, 
Shelburne, on a visit to his children and relatives in this section. Also, 
brethren Showalter, Hawley and Gipson were with us. Brother Shel- 
burne being our foreign visitor, was also our chief speaker; and well did 
he fulfill the office. Though in his four score and second year, he spoke 
with the force and vigor of one in the prime of life, and his pathetic ap- 
peals told with melting effect upon the audiences. We closed on Wed- 
nesday with five confessions, one of whom was a grandchild of brother 
Shelburne, an interesting little girl of brother and sister Gipson, the only 
daughter of brother Shelburne. 

Thursday night, at Snowville, listened to an interesting discourse from 
our young brother, Willie Bullard, son of our beloved brother, Dr. Bul- 
lard, and a graduate of Bethany College. May the mantle of the father 
fall and rest upon the son, and when his father and myself, with others 
now becoming advanced in years, shall be sleeping with our fathers, may 
he, in common with other faithful young men, be sounding the words of 
eternal life in the ears of the living generation. 



GEO. W. ABELL. I9I 

Friday evening delivered a discourse to the people of Christiansburg 
and its vicinity, en route for our depot to leave for the Piedmont region. 
Saturday morning, about three o'clock, got aboard the cars with my daugh- 
ter Clara, and my good Christian wife, who has so long and patiently and 
faithfully endured our separation, and almost lived a widow's life for the 
sake of my proclaiming to others the unsearchable riches of Christ. The 
brightest jewels of the crown my Saviour will bestow upon me will justly 
deck her immortal brow. 

Saturday morning's light disclosed the smiling face of my old friend and 
fellow-soldier, A. B. Walthall, in care of Dr. Hughes' two daughters from 
Kentucky, back to tn*e Old Dominion. The western climate had given his 
face so much of the Esau appearance, that, though so long and familiar to 
me, I had some difficulty in recognizing it. Though time has been making 
its ravages upon him, as upon us all, I found him the same kind, affable, 
agreeable, amiable brother Walthall, as in the better days of Old Vir- 
ginia. Wherever his lot may be, may the God of Jacob be his support. 
On the Orange, Alexandria and Manassas train also met another old 
friend and acquaintance, brother Thomas Fitzpatrick, now senator from 
Nelson county, whom, with two beloved sisters (one of whom now sleeps 
in Christ; the other the Christian companion of brother Cutler), a quarter 
of a century ago, my own humble hands buried with Christ in the liquid 
grave. May God give him grace, so that while attending to the political 
affairs of earth he may not be unmindful of the interests of the kingdom 
of heaven, and when all earthly fame and honor shall have perished, may 
he receive a crown of glory which shall never fade away. 

At Arrington station, left the cars; and, in company with a'brother 
Campbell and son of brother Coffee, proceeded on my way to the house 
of the latter, some twenty miles from Arrington, near the head waters of 
Tye river, the scene of my next appointment. This was a romantic and 
'picturesque little trip; the pure limpid waters gliding over smooth stones 
and golden sands, leaping over gentle cataracts, murmuring praises to 
their Creator in th'e ears of magnificent hills and mountains, standing in 
breathless, silent attention ; these pure waters reminding one of the waters 
of life, as they gushed forth from the throne of God, in primeval days, 
ere the foul foot of tradition had polluted them. I was fully repaid and 
refreshed on arriving at the cottage of brother Coffee, in this sequestered 
and romantic portion of the world, and finding there the highest order of 
humanity, a Christian gentleman and a Christian family. Some twenty-five 



192 BIOGRAPHY OF 

years ago I had comforted them in committing two of their innocent lambs 
into the gentle arms of the kind Shepherd, and subsequently baptized two 
more, the one now a husband and a father, the other a wife and a mother, 
and the whole family in the kingdom of Christ. Next day, commenced 
our meeting in these parts. The work commenced here where it seldom 
does, but always ought, right in the pulpit; the first person to confess the 
Lord being a preacher, a Mr. Fitzgerald from Kentucky, who, thirty 
years ago, assumed Wesley for his leader and, became a member of the 
Methodist church, but upon the invitation being given, walked down out 
of the stand and took his seat as an humble confessor, and upon making 
the good confession, was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, for the 
remission of his sins. I repeat, it is just what every preacher, little and 
big, who has not done it, ought to do. Why should a preacher be saved in 
disobedience more than any one else ? I gave him the solemn charge of 
Paul to Timothy, preach the word. This was one of the most interesting 
meetings I ever held. Up to Thursday, the fifth day, there were forty- 
three confessions, ranging from nine to ninety years; the last day, there 
having been seven, when, in the midst of the interest, I was compelled to 
leave to fill other engagements. 

Thursday night I spent under the hospitable roof of brother Captain 
Fitzpatrick, Arrington station; and though he was absent, the loss was 
compensated by the presence and society of his intelligent Christian 
spouse, sister Fitzpatrick, who exerted herself to render me comfortable 
and happy. 

Friday night, spoke near Faber's Mills, the residence of my wife's 
mother. 

Saturday, arrived in Charlottesville. This place, with its surroundings, 
has many hallowed associations in my memory. Here were the scenes of 
my childhood; here lived and died my dear old father; here is his grave; 
here still lives my darling mother, near ninety years of age ; here are my 
two dear brothers, with their loved families ; and here remains the rem- 
nant of the beloved Disciples with whom, some thirty years ago, I first 
became associated in the bonds of divine truth. Brother Walthall met me 
here, and on Lord's day morning delivered us an excellent discourse, at 
the conclusion of which, four who had previously been baptized came for- 
ward and united with the congregation. In the afternoon I preached for 
one of the colored congregations, Mount Zion, where fouiteen who had 
that day been baptized by the pastor united with the church. We parti- 



GEO. W. ABELL. 1 93 

cipated with them in commemorating the death and sufferings of our 
blessed Saviour. This week, in company with brother Walthall, was 
spent with the Charlottesville brethren. 

Friday, brethren Cutler and Richardson, who had been filling my ap- 
pointment at Mount Harmony and Free Union, joined us. They had 
eighteen additions at those points. Three others (whose special friends 
co-operated with Satan) were prevented from being baptized. 

Saturday left for Slate Hill, when another week was consumed in the 
enjoyment of the hospitality of the friends and disciples, and the procla- 
mation of the Word, resulting in eight confessions of the name of Christ. 
With this closes the labors of the. ninth month. The Lord in great mercy 
forgive the errors of the past, and prepare us by His grace to discharge 

the duties of the future. 

Fraternally, your evangelist, 

G. W. Abell. 

Goochland Court-house, Nov. i, 1870. 

Brethren Cutler and Kent : 

Beloved Brethren : — My last report closed 

with my. meeting at Slate Hill, Albemarle county. During this week 

occurred the awful and almost unprecedented flood, which bore upon its 

bosom and buried beneath its tide so much produce, so much property, 

and worse still, hurried so many valuable lives to that bourne whence they 

will not return, until summoned by the archangel's trumpet to meet their 

final doom. 

With some difficulty I reached brother Dillard's appointment at 
Goshen, Fluvanna county, first Lord's day in October; ferrying a river 
still swollen, at Palmyra — the bridge having been swept away — and 
walking some seven or eight miles Lord's day morning. In consequence 
of the flood, I presume, brother Dillard did not arrive. I remained in 
this section, and worked hard under untoward circumstances, during this 
week — the people seeming to be more interested about the losses of the 
flood than caring about the salvation of their souls. 

I was called upon during this week to visit brother and sister Agee, 
near Columbia, and administer to them the consolations of the gospel, 
under the heavy affliction of the loss of a dear son, an interesting youth 
about eighteen years of age, who sacrificed his life during the flood, in 
being too zealous for the interests of his employer. Poor fellow ! Little 
did I think, a little more than twelve months ago, when I buried him with 

13 



194 BIOGRAPHY OF 

Christ in baptism, that he would so soon find a literal watery grave. God 
support the afflicted family in their deep distress, and sanctify the sad 
bereavement to their everlasting good. We had six confessions for the 
truth during this week, among them two interesting little girls, daughters 
of brother and sister Agee. 

From Goshen, through the kindness of brother Agee, I was sent to my 
appointment at Forest Grove, Goochland, commencing the second Lord's 
day in October, where we had an interesting meeting, resulting in fifteen 
accessions. Of these, some seven or eight were from the ranks of our 
Baptist brethren. It is an ordinary occurrence to have recruits from our 
sectarian brethren of the different schools : frequently have them without 
making mention of them. Indeed, I sometimes think it has no good 
effect to record them. I presume one-fourth of the whole number of ad- 
ditions I make would hail from the different religious schools in the land; 
of these, I suppose the greater number would be from the Methodists. 
This will account for the peculiar love which some of their officials have 
for me, because I am made the humble instrument in the hands of the 
Lord in turning their members from the darkness of sectarianism to the 
light of God's word, and from the power of Methodism to the service of 
the living God. 

From Forest Grove, through the kindness of brother Harris, I was sent 
on my way to my appointment at Salem, Louisa, where I labored hard 
another week, with three accessions — the greater portion of the material 
in this forest having already been worked up, excepting a few who seem 
resolved to reject the truth and bring certain destruction upon themselves. 
May God have mercy upon them. I had, however, the gratification of 
enjoying the society of those kind and hospitable brethren and sisters; 
and through the favor of brethren Hope and Bowles, obtained transporta- 
tion to my appointment at Perkinsville, the fourth Lord's day in Ooctober. 
This week, I held meetings at Perkinsville, Octagon, and Nuckols' neigh- 
borhood. In these meetings, had fourteen additions, nearly half of whom 
were from our Baptist brotherhood. When all the Baptists who believe 
we occupy the true ground for Christian union shall have added courage 
to their faith, and shown their faith by their works, then the remainder 
will seriously entertain the proposition, so long and earnestly pressed upon 
them by our brethren, of " union upon the Bible, and the Bible alone." 
Query : where is the consistency of Baptists in fraternizing with what they 
call " Campbellites " in their ranks, and refusing to fraternize with them 



GEO. W. ABELL. 1 95 

out of their ranks ? Will some learned Baptist scribe give us light on this 
point ? 

Brother Richardson, who is growing in popularity as well as usefulness, 
was with me at Salem, as well as in this quarter, and assisted in setting 
brother Dabney apart to the work of the ministry. May God bless them 
both, and make them instruments of great good. 

Fifth Lord's day morning, left the hospitable abode of my friend, Mr. 
Thomas Perkins ; and, in company with brethren Barret and Perkins, set 
out for my appointment at Goochland C. H., where I doubt whether the 
gospel was ever before preached, as it was in the days of the apostles and 
evangelists of Christ. Here. I was met by some of our elect and select 
brethren and sisters from Forest Grove and Salem; spoke to them the 
word of the Lord; received the confession of two sweet, amiable sisters, 
who had come some fifteen miles to obey the gospel, and straightway bap- 
tized them in the name of the Lord Jesus for the remission of sins, and 
sent them on their way rejoicing. 

Yesterday and last evening, I preached to increasing congregations. 

Thus closes the labors of this, the tenth month. May God command 
his blessing upon us, and enable us to spend all our days and weeks and 
months in his service, is the prayer of your brother and evangelist, 

G. W. Abell. 

Elder John A. Dearborn, Chairman State Board of Missions : 

Beloved Brother : — Permit me, as corresponding secretary, to give 
you an account of my late south-eastern tour. 

1. In accordance with a programme previously arranged by "the acting 
evangelist for the district, our beloved brother Dr. C. Bullard, I com- 
menced my meetings in this section the first Lord's day in October, with 
Zion congregation, Dinwiddie county. The brethren in this section had 
the misfortune, during our unfortunate civil struggle, to have their house 
of worship burned; hence, we were compelled to do the best we could 
in assembling together, sometimes under an arbor, then in a school-house, 
and at other times in the residences of our kind brethren and friends. We 
shall not, however, be subjected to these inconveniences much longer in 
this quarter, as the brethren have the building of a comfortable house un- 
der contract, which we hope will be completed at no distant day. We 
had an interesting and successful meeting with these beloved brethren and 
sisters, and with the close of the week, parted with them. 



I96 BIOGRAPHY OF 

2. Commenced a meeting with the Perseverance congregation, Lunen- 
burg county, second Lord's day in October. Here we spent another week 
very pleasantly, and I trust profitably, with these devoted followers of the 
Lamb. In this section lives our beloved and zealous brother Potts, the 
only surviving local evangelist of this district, excepting brother Smith, of 
Liberty, Prince Edward. Death, with his relentless sword, not only hav- 
ing cut a wide swathe among the privates in the ranks, but also thinned 
the numbers of the standard-bearers — a Doswell, a Wilson, a Hughart, a 
Duval having bowed to his leaden sceptre, and others once residing here 
having removed to other fields, this has become almost altogether deserted. 

3. The third Lord's day, commenced with the Cool Spring congrega- 
tion, where we spent another week, resulting in a good and prosperous 
meeting. Saturday, preached at the old Meherrin house, on my way to 

4. Goodes, in Charlotte, whence, having preached a few days, I re- 
turned to Meherrin, and again preached two days; and 

5; Commenced a meeting at Salem, near Keysville, where I preached 
with success up to Thursday; when I left in the midst of much interest, 
to attend our annual convention in Richmond ; whence I returned, and 

6. Commenced a meeting with the Liberry congregation, Prince Ed- 
ward, first Lord's day in November, where we spent that week with pleas- 
ure and profit. 

7. Second Lord's day in November, preached at Mount Olivet, Lunen- 
burg; Monday, at Concord, Mecklenburg; Tuesday, had an appoint- 
ment for the same place, but was disappointed by the inclemency of the 
weather; Wednesday, returned to Mount Olivet; Thursday, Friday, and 
Saturday, preached at Good Hope, where we had an interesting meeting. 

8. Third Lord's day in November, and Monday and Tuesday, preached 
at Tussakiah, Lunenburg, a Baptist meeting-house, where the Lord also 
gave us seals to the truth of our humble ministration ; Wednesday, at Nut 
Bush, a Presbyterian house ; Thursday, preached and baptized at brother 
Barnes'; Friday, again at Nut Bush; Saturday, left for Namozine section, 
where we commenced a meeting. 

9. Fourth Lord's day in November, at Mount Hope, a Baptist house, 
preaching there on that day and Monday and Tuesday following, and 
finishing the week at the houses of the brethren and sisters. 

10. First Lord's day in December, began at Corinth, Powhatan, where 
I met brother Lipscomb, of Tennessee, who had been preaching with en- 
tire acceptance at this point, as also at Jetersville. Preached here with 



GEO. W. ABELL. 1 97 

"brother Lipscomb until Thursday. My throat having become affected 
through exposure and over exercise, I took Friday as a rest day, at the 
hospitable abode of brother George Porter, the first and only rest day I 
had during my trip. 

11. Having been met at Amelia Court-house by our zealous and work- 
ing brother Wingo, spent Saturday night with him and his kind companion. 
Lord's day morning, called, in company with sister Wingo, to see our ex- 
cellent brother and friend, Dr. J. W. Jeter, then just on the border of " the 
valley of the shadow of death," through which he has since passed; and 
commenced our meeting at Paineville, Amelia, second Lord's day in De- 
cember.- Here we continued until Friday, when Hibernia threw down a 
fortification of snow, which cut off our assembling forces. 

12. Preached at Jetersville third Lord's day and night, when the breth- 
ren determined the inclemency of the weather rendered it inexpedient to 
continue the meeting : and having requested brother Smith, of Liberty, 
Prince Edward, to fill my appointment at The Union for the coming 
Lord's day, and notified the brethren at that place of the same, on Mon- 
day, took the Richmond & Danville Railroad for Burkeville, and the 
Atlantic, Ohio & Mississippi Railroad for the Central Depot, Montgomery 
county, Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, where I arrived about half 
past eleven o'clock P. M. Spent the remainder of the night at the hotel 
of my friend, Mr. William E. Stone; sent on by him to my son's, J. D. 
Abell, by whom I was conducted to the abode of my family, where I ar- 
rived safely, through the kind providence of our Heavenly Father, Tues- 
day, December 19th, and found my loved ones alive, after an absence 
of nearly twelve weeks. Number added, one hundred and fifty-five. 

In briefly reviewing the operations of this period, I desire to feel pro- 
foundly grateful to our merciful Father and sympathizing High Priest, not 
only for the kind providential care exercised over myself and family dur- 
ing our separation, but also for the good I trust was accomplished for the 
Lord's cause during the interval. 

* # * * ## *# 

With the sincere prayer that God may bless us air in our respective 
works, I am, Yours fraternally, 

G. W. Abell, Cor. Secretary. 



I98 BIOGRAPHY OF 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Brother Abell realizes answer to his prayers in the conversion of his chil- 
dren. A condensed report of his labors from the year 1871. He locates 
in Murfreesboro', Tennessee. Farewell address to the Virginia brother- 
hood. The last letter he wrote for publication. Brief account of his 
sickness, death and burial. 

WE now approach the close of the life of 
our esteemed brother. As the sands of 
time indicated the shortness of the days left to 
fulfill the work which he believed the Lord had 
imposed upon him, he seemed, if possible, to sur- 
render himself more entirely to the service of 
the Master. The last fifteen months of his labors 
were spent in Murfreesboro', Tennessee, with the 
exception of a few brief visits to surrounding 
points, and a short visit to the family of Dr. Bar- 
clay, where he had an interview with the widow 
of Alexander Campbell — partial accounts of which 
were written and published, but which we find it 
impracticable to engraft in this condensed sketch. 
In one of his last letters, he sums up his labors 
in the following expressive language: 

"As far as in me lay, I have visited 'the centres' 



GEO. W. ABELL. I 99 

as well as the 'circumferences' of 'wealth, intelli- 
gence, commerce and education!' But while 
doing this, I have not forgotten nor slighted the 
'centres' and 'circumferences' 'of the poor, the 
humble, the illiterate and the rude;' not forget- 
ting that ' in the sight of God, all souls are of the 
same value;' that 'God is no respecter of per- 
sons;' that, though 'He was rich, yet for our sakes 
He became poor, that we, through his poverty, 
might become rich;' that while the foxes had 
holes, and the birds of the air had nests, the Son 
of Man had not where »to lay his head, nor the 
wherewith to pay his taxes. Not forgetting .the 
message he returned to the harbinger, when he 
sent to enquire, 'Art thou He that should come, 
or look we for another?' 'Go tell John what you 
see and hear: the blind receive their sight; the 
deaf hear; the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed; 
the dead are raised up; and,' best of all, 'the poor 
have the gospel preached to them.' That one 
among the first texts the great Exemplar preached 
from, runs about as follows: 'The Spirit of the 
Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me 
to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me 
to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance 
to the captives and recovering of sight to the 
blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to 
preach the acceptable year of the Lord.' Not 



200 BIOGRAPHY OF 

forgetting that the husband of His mother was a 
hard-handed mechanic; that He was born in a 
stable and cradled in a manger: 

" Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining, 
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall.'' 

That he selected for his every day companions 
the participants of his sufferings and toils, poor, 
humble, despised fishermen, constituted them his 
ambassadors to a dying world; commissioned 
them to go into ' all the world,' into ' all centres,' 
and around ' every circumference,' to preach the 
gospel to ' every creature,' rich and poor, learned 
an<3 unlearned. That Paul declared, 'he was 
debtor to the Jew and the Greek, the wise and 
the unwise.' Nor has it faded from my memory, 
that on a certain occasion, when this Friend of 
the poor was standing by and observing the peo- 
ple casting their gifts into the treasury — the rich 
casting in of their abundance large donations — 
that a poor widow woman came up and put in 
two mites, which make one farthing; and He, 
whose 'thoughts are not like our thoughts, and 
whose ways are not like our ways,' made this sin- 
gular remark: 'Verily, I say unto you, she hath 
cast in more than they all.' She had done 'what 
she could.' 

"In conclusion, I believe I can say, with a good 
conscience, in regard to my labors, I have en- 



GEO. W. ABELL. 201 

deavored, by the grace of God, to do the best I 
could." 

February 20, 1871. 
Dear Brother Par risk: 

A few evenings since, in company with brother 

Miller's sister, I baptized our third daughter, Willie Ann, aged eleven 
years and eleven months. We feel that God has been very merciful to us. 
When, far away from home and loved ones, proclaiming the gospel of sal- 
vation, I have witnessed the hearts of fathers and mothers overflowing 
with gratitude in seeing their dear children coming forward and confessing 
their faith in Christ, my fervent prayer has been, " O, Lord, may our dear 
ones too be converted." Those prayers have not been in vain: they have 
reached the ears of the God of Sabaoth, and have been answered : our 
fourth child has now been gathered into the kingdom — all at a tender age. 
The kind Shepherd has taken two to his warm heart of love in their young 
and guiltless age : two we have left over, the one a little boy, just ten years 
of age, who, I pray and hope (should the Master postpone his return), will 
be proclaiming the gospel when I shall have been gathered to my fathers; 
the other a little girl, seven years old, for whose baptismal shroud her 
mother has put away the same bags of shot which weighted down her sis- 
ter's. May God bless us all, our wives and children; help us to train 
them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ; and when the Great 
Deliverer, so long wished for, again returns to make up His jewels, may 
we all be gathered in that heavenly, divine and immortal circle, which 
shall never again be broken in the everlasting kingdom of God. Amen ! 
and Amen ! Then my prayers, like David's, are ended. 

G. W. Abell. 

Home, Sweet, Sweet Home, June 5, 187-1. 
Dear Brother Parrish : 

Permit me, through the columns of the Exam- 
iner, to report to the brethren some of the incidents connected with my 
trip to Tide-water, from which I have just returned, after an absence from 
my family of about ten weeks. And as you, as well as myself, are averse 
to long articles, whether prose or poesy, I will divide it into sections, so 
you can sever it at whatever joint you may think proper. 

Section 1. I have traveled this spring from Bristol, on the, extreme 
western border of the state, to Norfolk, on the Seaboard, a distance of 



202 BIOGRAPHY OF 

more than four hundred miles, through the whole length of the state. I 
call attention to this fact, to state fhat in this whole route, after leaving 
Bristol, there is not one single house of worship for the Disciples, in any 
city, town or village on the railroads, Virginia & Tennessee, and Southside. 
This shows the great want of missionary work in our state. I design lay- 
ing this matter before our General Missionary Board, and seeking an ap- 
propriation for this work. 

2. Norfolk. — I arrived in Norfolk Tuesday evening after the fourth 
Lord's day in March, and remained there, according to my published 
programme, until Saturday morning following. This time was spent in 
speaking at brother Powell's residence at night, and visiting and talking 
by day. I succeeded in finding six of the " despised sect" in Norfolk, 
one in Portsmouth, to which was added one by confession. I was glad 
to have the opportunity of turning the latter over to brother Cave, who 
arrived the evening before I left, that, after preaching the apostolic gospel 
to the people of Norfolk in the Freemason street Baptist church, he might 
enjoy the privilege of demonstrating, the theory by immersing a believing 
penitent in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins. The good 
cause thus gets under way in Norfolk, with Noah's complement of eight 
souls. Brother Powell has agreed to meet with them on the first day of 
the week,. and assist them in the divine worship. May God smile upon 
them and bless them; and may the preaching brethren visit them as fre- 
quently as they can. Brethren, the Lord ought to have a congregation 
and house of worship in Norfolk. 

3. Matthews Court-house. — Saturday morning, in company with brother 
Brown, of Matthews Court-house, Dr. Wallace, of the Dismal Swamp, and 
others, we went aboard the boat N. F. Banks, and had a stormy time to 
Matthews. I believe I saw as many drunken men and women, without 
liquor, as I ever saw before at the same time; and I expect I looked about 
as drunk as any of them. It was for a very poor purpose that seventy-five 
cents had been paid for breakfast. " There's a glorious scene on deck," 
said one waiter to another, whose business it was to keep things in a 
cleanly state. However, after passing Old Point, the storm ceased to rage 
with so great a vim, we all soon sobered off, became much improved, and 
with the blessing of the God of the sea, as well as the land, about the 
middle of the day we found ourselves at Williams' wharf, Matthews county. 
Here I was met by our brother and co-laborer, Dr. Williams, who, through 
a tempest of rain, took me to his kind and hospitable abode, rendered still 



GEO. W. ABELL. 203 

more so by affording me an asylum from the storms and tempests, by sea 
and by land. On Lord's day (first in April) we commenced our meeting 
at Westville, Matthews Court-house; here we were again greeted by the 
bright and always agreeable and acceptable face of our old and tried and 
truly Protestant brother, Bishop A. B. Walthall. We also had the pre- 
sence and co-operation here of brothers Cave and E. Bohannon ; so that 
we had quite a host of preachers, all true, tried and faithful men. We 
remained in this county about two weeks, preaching at the Court-house, 
North River and Gwyn's Island. It is but a tribute to justice to acknow- 
ledge our deep indebtedness to our Methodist brethren in this county, and 
to say, that while they have had the free use of our house at the Court- 
house whenever they wished it, they were so very kind and liberal to us 
on the present occasion as to follow the example of the people of Jericho, 
in having all theirs strictly closed against us. Whether this was from a 
sense of justice towards us, or a fear to near on their part, we leave others 
to determine. By way of retaliation, we assure them that all our meeting- 
houses here, there and elsewhere, will always be open and at their ser- 
vice. I know of no better way to repay them for their kindness, liberality, 
generosity, and all other good traits. 

We are also under a different species of obligation to our colored breth- 
ren for opening to us their house of worship, hard-by the Methodistic 
synagogue, and affording us all the kindness and attention we could ask. 
For this our brethren will not forget them, and our Master will remember 
them at his coming. 

I cannot too deeply express my gratitude to my very kind brethren and 
sisters of Matthews for their very many manifestations of kindness, respect 
and affection to me during my sojourn among them; and without design- 
ing any enviable distinction by the mention or omission of names, I would 
remark, that sister Brown's body is as little, and her heart as big as ever. 

4. Middlesex. — Saturday before third Lord's day in April, in company 
with brother Williams, crossed the Piankatank, and commenced opera- 
tions in Middlesex county; here we found a few devoted Disciples, who, 
in their exile, had remained faithful to the Lord. Sometimes in our peri- 
grinations, we find some who, because of their remoteness from Jerusalem, 
and proximity to Babylon, take up their residence in the latter, not hear- 
ing distinctly the voice which fell upon John's ear from heaven (Rev. 
xviii. 4). "And I heard another voice from heaven saying, come out {not 
go into) her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye 



204 BIOGRAPHY OF 

receive not of her plagues." And when once under the influence of the 
atmosphere of Babylon, the head becomes dizzy, and it is hard to find the 
way out. No so with these faithful few in Middlesex. They had remained 
faithful to "the despised sect," and had been praying to the Lord to send 
them a herald of the cross of. Christ : they felt their prayers had been an- 
swered. We remained here about two weeks, and succeeded in organ- 
izing a church in the lower end of the county, on the foundation that 
Jesus is the Christ. We hope the brethren from Matthews, Essex, and all 
other quarters, will remember this infant community, and do all in their 
power to build it up. 

5. Essex, Rappahannock. — From Middlesex, I went to Rappahannock, 
Essex county, and commenced our meeting at that place the fifth Lord's 
day in April. Many changes have taken place during the thirteen years 
which have intervened since my last visit here. A goodly number who 
were then alive, and attended our humble ministrations, and administered 
to my comfort, are now sleeping those slumbers from which alone they 
will be aroused by the last keen, piercing notes of the mighty, mighty 
trumpet. I found, however, in those who remain the same kind, warm, 
love-throbbing hearts that animated them before the fearful, desolating 
storms which have swept over them had beaten upon them. I spent one 
week very pleasantly among them, speaking the word of the Lord to them 
by night, visiting and conversing and renewing old associations by day. 
Of all the congregations, in or out of Virginia, whether regarded in ante- 
or post-bellum times, there is none to whom I have cause to feel under 
greater obligations for respect, affection and love, than to the people of 
Rappahannock. Hard by here resides our old friend and brother, Peter 
Ainslie, who, under the garb of A Retired Evangelist (A R. E.), has 
been showing due honors to our noble, fallen heroes. God bless him in 
this and every other work of love ! and when his labors are ended, and he 
retired from the drama of human affairs, may some other faithful scribe 
note the incidents in his pilgrimage, that, though dead, he may continue 
to speak for good to the generations that follow. 

6. Smyrna, King dr 5 Queen. — First Lord's day in May, unfolded the 
banner of the cross at Smyrna, King & Queen. The same number of 
revolutions in her orbit old mother Earth had performed since our visit 
here, as at her neighbor and sister Rappahannock, and producing similar 
changes. Here, too, we found some of the loved faithful soldiers had 
laid their armor by and gone to rest. We might here, as at other places, 



GEO. W. ABELL. 205 

mention loved, endeared names; but the mention of some, with the omis- 
sion of others, makes an enviable distinction, of which I am slow to be 
criminal. The renewal of former acquaintances here, and a more perfect 
cultivation of them, made these beloved brethren and sisters but the dearer 
to my heart, and caused the separation when it came the more painful, and 
to be watered with a more copious effusion of tears. God bless them all, 
with their dear loved ones, and may we all meet on the bright and shining 
shore, where parting and tears will never be known. Here, as in other 
places, broad lines are drawn between the present and times before the 
war. Those who then traveled in much splendor are now content to go 
in humble conveyances. Fine carriages have been exchanged for wagons 
and tumbril carts, drawn by a single mule. Why even Robert Y. Henley 
can grace a two horse wagon with all the dignity of an ancient Grecian 
charioteer. I had to look twice good, with both my eyes, to see if I were 
not mistaken, but it was the veritable Robert Y. But with all the changes 
in their worldly circumstances, they are the same kind, generous, hospit- 
able, liberal Christian people that they were before the dark cloud over- 
shadowed them. Robbed of everything else, they cannot be spoiled of 
these noblest of attributes. 

7. Jerusalem, King William. — Saturday night spent upon the hospit- 
able premises of our friend and brother Acree, and through his kindness, 
the second Lord's day, May, found me over the waters of the Mattaponi, 
and seated by the side of brother Edwards, and on my way to Jerusalem, 
King William. Spoke at Jerusalem on Lord's day, and the remainder of 
the week by night, until Friday night, at the Court-house. We had a good 
hearing from our Baptist and Christadelphian brethren. I endeavored to 
show them, and all others, that we should unite together, taking the word 
of God for our guide, and holding our opinions as private property, and 
not thrusting them upon others. God grant that all may see and feel the 
propriety of this, and act upon it, and the prayer of Christ be answered, 
that "all his people may be one." 

After doing my duty as faithfully as I could, and enjoying the kindness 
and hospitality of this very kind and hospitable people, and burying a few 
believing subjects on Saturday morning, I found myself, through the kind- 
ness of brother Corr, seated with him in his buggy, and on the way to 
Gethsemane, to the Tide-water Co-operation, where we arrived about 
twelve o'clock, and found the brethren in session. 

8. Gethsemane, Hanover. — Brethren Williams, and Bohannon and 



206 BIOGRAPHY OF 

I continued the meeting" after the adjournment of the convention. These 
brethren leaving me on Saturday, the one for Corinth, the other for Jeru- 
salem, I remained over the fourth Lord's day at Gethsemane. The breth- 
ren here, like those at other places, suffered much from the late war, and 
more since, from intestine war. But peace being now restored, I trust and 
pray they may greatly flourish under its mild banners. 

On Monday I parted with them on the water, amid many tears and sobs, 
with the bright hope of meeting them on the banks of the river of the 
water of life. God grant the hope may be realized. 

9. Corinth, King William. — Monday evening I resumed the meeting at 
Corinth, which had been commenced by brethren Henley and Bohannon 
on Lord's day, and continued it until Thursday night, on which occasion 
five precious lambs came forward and confessed their faith in Christ. My 
engagements required me to close at this interesting period, turn over 
these young converts to our beloved brother Davis*, the elder, for baptism, 
and take the parting hand with these much beloved Corinthian brethren 
and sisters. May the wings of protecting care and love shield them from' 
all harm and danger. 

10. Home, — Friday morning, June 2nd, by the kindness of brother 
Wirt Redd, I was conveyed to Hanover Court-house, where I took the 
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad train, stopped in Charlottesville, where I 
had kind greetings with many of the good brethren there, visited my bro- 
thers in the flesh, spent the night with my dear aged mother, now tottering 
in her ninety-first year, and an old aunt, but few years behind her. Satur- 
day, took the Orange, Alexandria & Manassas Railroad train for Lynch- 
burg ; then changed to the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio, which, about 
eleven o'clock, halted long enough at Christiansburg depot for me to get 
off. I was met the next morning by my soa, and under the bright light of 
a beautiful first morning of the week, arrived at our humble home, met 
my dear family, after a separation of about ten weeks, well prepared to 
appreciate, the words and sentiments, 

" Home, home, sweet, sweet home ! 
There's no place like home." 

God grant we may all at last get home to our Father's house, " eternal 
in the heavens." 

I find on my memoranda, without discriminating the various classes I 
usually report, not yet formerly reported, eighty-four. May the Good 



GEO. W. ABELL. 207 

Spirit strengthen them all in the inner man, and help them to be faithful 
to death. 

There are several other matters to which I should have been glad to 
have called the attention of the brethren in these notes, if the already too 
greatly protracted length had not prohibited me. I would just briefly, in 
conclusion, refer to two brethren who have been with me a portion of this 
trip, the one, W. T. Barret, the other, E. Bohannon. These brethren 
would do a great and good work if they could be kept constantly in the 
field. Tjod grant they may. But I must conclude. 

Fraternally, G. W. Abell. 

Lunenburg, October, 187 i. 

To the Disciples assembled in Annual Convention with the Sycamore 
Congregation, Richmond City: 

Much respected and beloved brethren: — 1. In the discharge 
of my duties as state evangelist, after the close of your last annual session, 
I labored during the remaining portion of the month of November, and a 
part of December, in the Tide-water district, holding meetings with the 
Gethsemane congregation, Hanover ; * Barhamsville, New Kent ; Olive 
Branch, James City; Lebanon, Warwick; and Grafton, York county. 

2. I spent a portion of the months of February and March in the south- 
western and east Tennessee co-operative field. 

3. The last of March, I returned to the Tide- water section, beginning 
with Norfolk, where I spent a few days ; going thence to Matthews, where 
I labored two weeks ; thence to Middlesex, where two more weeks were 
consunfed; thence to Essex, where a week was spent with the Rappahan- 
nock congregation; another, with Smyrna, King and Queen; and yet 
another with Jerusalem, King William; thence to the Tide-water Co-ope- 
ration, held with the Gethsemane congregation, Hanover, where I labored 
another week; and thence to Corinth, King William; and having re- 
mained there a few days, I returned home about the last of May. 

4. The month of June was spent in the south-western field. 

5. July and a part of August was spent with the brethren of the Shenan- 
doah Valley Co-operation, holding meetings at Antioch, Page county ; Mt. 
Jackson, Edinburg, Woodstock, Fair View, Walnut Spring, and Strasburg, 
Shenandoah county; and Timberlake's Grove, Frederick county.- I was 
with the brethren, during this trip, at the session of their district conven- 



208 BIOGRAPHY OF 

tion, held with the Strasburg congregation, embracing the third Lord's day 
in August. 

6. Attended the South-western District Convention, held with the 
Snowville congregation, Pulaski county, embracing the fourth Lord's day 
in August, and labored in that field during September. 

7. Came to the south-eastern district, and commenced my labors with 
Zion congregation, Dinwiddie county, the first Lord's day in October; 
preached there one week, at Perseverance .another, Cool Spring, Lunen- 
burg, another; and am now at Goode's, Charlotte, from which I -expect, 
the Lord willing, to go to Salem, near Keysville, and thence to Richmond. 

By comparing my report with the topography of the State, you will ob- 
serve I have traversed its whole length, from Bristol on the west to Nor- 
folk and Matthews on the east, as well as its greatest breadth, from Mary- 
land on the north to North Carolina on the south. # This peregrination, 
with the attendant observation, has only demonstrated the great dearth 
existing in regard to the knowledge of the truth as preached by the 
apostles. On the whole line of railroad, throughout the entire length 
of the State, from Bristol to Norfolk, there is not one single organized 
congregation with a house of worship. Only two on the Orange and 
Alexandria from Lynchburg to Alexandria; that is, Charlottesville and 
Gordonsville. Excepting these, only two on the whole line of the Chesa- 
peake and Ohio railroad, viz; Louisa Court-house and Bethpage churches; 
only one on the Richmond and Fredericksburg, that is Guiney's; only 
one on the Richmond and Danville; nor can the great valley of Vir- 
ginia boast but little more, there being but one organized congregation, 
with its own house of worship, within any corporate limits throughout its 
whole extent, from Maryland to North Carolina; this honorable exception 
being the town of Edinburgh, Shenandoah county. We mean immediately 
on the line of railroad. There should be at least one preacher to each 
one of these great thoroughfares through the State, whose labors should be 
confined to building up the cause along them. I have called the attention 
of brother Munnell to this great destitution, as well as to our impoverished 
condition, and through him, as corresponding secretary, asked aid from the 
General Missionary Society for this work. The wide-spread harvest, 
ripening for the sickle, and the great scarcity of labor, make strong ap- 
peals to our benevolence and liberality, notwithstanding our impoverished 
condition. 

You will also observe from my report, that during the year I have 



GEO. W. ABELL. 2CX) 

labored in all the districts of the State, excepting the Piedmont. I give 
the following reasons for this exception: i. For the last few years I have 
bestowed a good deal of my labor in this district, not visiting others. 2. 
This field is better supplied with labor than others. 3. I have presumed 
upon the generosity and magnanimity of the brethren of this district, who 
have evinced satisfaction, so I labor, whether in their field or out of it. I 
desire, however, the Lord willing, another year to bestow more labor in 
this section, especially toward the northern portion of it, where we are 
almost unknown as a people. 

There is another portion of the State, composed of the counties of Pitt- 
sylvania, Franklin, Henry and Patrick, to which brother Hawley has been 
paying some attention, and which I hope, God willing, to visit the coming 
year, and organize into another district, or more thoroughly establish the 
organization already commenced and in progress. 

The whole number of additions in the various districts, connected with 
the State, has been one thousand nine hundred and one. 

All of which is respectfully submitted to you by your brother and evan- 
gelist, 

G. W. Abell. 

November 15, 1872. 
Elder R. Y. Henley, Chairman of State Board: 

Permit me, through you, to' submit to the State Convention of Dis- 
ciples, assembled in Richmond, the following annual report of my labors 
for the present conventional year, now coming to a close : 

I. From your last session, 1871,1 returned to the South-eastern district, 
to complete a programme of appointments made prior to that session, 
holding meetings at Liberty, Prince Edward; Mount Olivet, Good Hope, 
Tussekiah and Nut Bush, Lunenburg county; a point in Mecklenburg 
county; Concord, Corinth, Powhatan county; Zion, Dinwiddie county; 
Namozine, Paineville, and Jetersville, Amelia county. By this time, the 
third Lord's day in December, the wmter had set in with so much severity, 
I was compelled to close up my meetings, leaving one appointment unful- 
filled, Union, Prince Edward, and retire home into winter quarters for a 
short time. 

This South-eastern district is a very interesting and tempting field, 
abounding in warm-hearted, • zealous, devoted brethren and sisters, very 
anxious to have a good, efficient evangelist to devote all his time among 

14 



2IO BIOGRAPHY OF 

them. I had hoped they had succeeded in securing the services of bro- 
ther Lipscomb, of Tennessee, but it seems in this, as well as other in- 
stances, they have been doomed to disappointment. 

2. Having remained at home, preaching thereabouts, during the month 
of January, and a part of February (I believe), my next tour was into the 
East Tennessee and South-western Virginia district ; holding meetings at 
Bristol, Buffalo Institute, Johnson City, Limestone, Jonesboro', Sullivan 
Court-house, and Union Depot. At this last point I was compelled to 
suspend my appointments -in consequence of disease, superinduced by ex- 
posure, and again returned home, leaving one appointment unfulfilled, the 
Corner House, Washington county, Virginia. 

3. My next was through the counties of Nelson, preaching at Arrington 
Depot, Roseland, and Tye river; Albemarle, preaching at Charlottesville; 
Orange, preaching at Gordonsville; Spottsylvania, holding meetings at 
brother Cave's church, Andrews, Berea school-house, near sister Dorrie 
French's; Caroline, preaching at Bowling Green, Guiney's Depot, Em- 
maus, Lebanon, and a Baptist church, the name of which I now forget, 
Concord I think. 

4. My fourth was through the counties of Patrick, preaching at Taylors- 
ville; Henry, holding meetings at the Old Well, Mayo's, Horse Pasture, 
Ridgway, Ephesus and County Line; Pittsylvania, at the Court-house, 
Danville and Liberty; Cool Spring, Lunenburg, near Keysville, Char- 
lotte; Franklin county, at Snow Creek, Glade Hill, and Franklin Court- 
house, from which I returned home. 

5. My fifth and last tour was through Albemarle, preaching at Char- 
lottesville; into Orange, holding a meeting at Unionville; into Fauquier, 
preaching at Markham Station; then into Shenandoah, at Zion, and Wood- 
stock; thence into Frederick, near Stephenson's Depot; then Walnut 
Springs; and thence to Stephensburg, the last point in my programme. 

• 6. I believe that all the districts into which the State has been divided 
(that is, the Tide-water, Piedmont, South-eastern, the Valley, Franklin 
and Henry, South-western, East Tennessee and Virginia) have endorsed 
and adopted, at least in theory, the general plan of co-operation, while 
not one of them, so far as I am informed, is acting upon it practically, 
there being in no one of them, as far as I know, one of the essential ele- 
ments of the plan — a corresponding secretary or district evangelist. So 
that so far as statistical information is concerned, it is beyond my power to 
make a report, according to the requirements of this plan. Indeed, my 



GEO. W. ABELL. 2 1 I 

•duties have been such, traveling, as you will perceive from the preceding 
minutes, from the Tide-water section on the east to some distance into 
Tennessee on the west, and from near the line of Maryland on the east to 
North Carolina on the south, in frontier sections, so that it would be rather 
an impracticable work on my part to furnish the statistics referred to. You 
will perceive from the proceedings of the Tide-water Co-operation that 
that body appointed a special committee, consisting of brethren Clemmitt, 
McGruder and Stacy, to procure information under this head. I refer the 
convention to this. committee for all statistical information, and respect- 
fully suggest that these brethren be appointed a standing State committee 
for this work, it being a State rather, than a district work. 

The number of additions, as far as I have been able to approximate 
them, within the limits of the co-operation, during the conventional year, 
has been two thousand two hundred and eighteen. Doubtless the real 
number exceeds this to a considerable extent, as there are portions of the 
field from which I have no information, especially the East Tennessee and 
Virginia district. 

7. In surveying the field, I am deeply impressed with the truth that the 
harvest is great, extensive, plenteous, the laborers very few, and the im- 
portance, not only of praying to the Lord of the harvest to send forth la- 
borers into His harvest, but also to make the proper use of the means to 
have our petitions fulfilled. I would likewise call the attention of the 
convention to the great want of houses in various portions of the State, 
especially in towns and cities. In many places we could get the people to 
hear if we had a house into which to invite them. It is true, that in the 
country, during pleasant weather, the groves, " God's ancient temples," 
will answer as a substitute; but in cities, and for inclement and wintry 
seasons, these will not suffice. I would respectfully suggest to the con- 
vention the propriety and importance of a building fund, to which atten- 
tion has already been called, set apart for the erection of houses of wor- 
ship. The Seventh Street Christian Church should be paid for ; a good 
house of worship should be erected in Norfolk; another in Petersburg; 
another in Farmville, Danville, Lynchburg, Lexington, Staunton, Har- 
risonburg, and various other places, as well as have our house in Frede- 
ricksburg repaired in good style. 

8. In concluding my report, I hereby acknowledge the important aid of 
many kind brethren and sisters in co-operating with me in the good work 
in which I have been engaged; also, the gratitude I owe to the Father of 



212 BIOGRAPHY OF 

all mercies for His blessings, not only upon my own humble efforts, but 
also upon those of the other preaching brethren. I have endeavored hum- 
bly and faithfully, as during the former twenty-three years that I have acted 
as your evangelist, to declare the whole counsel of God. I have made 
the unity of Christians, with the Word of God as the bond of union, to 
occupy a prominent position in my ministrations, public and private. Nor 
has the plea been unheeded; one fourth, I presume, of the whole number 
added, ranging under this head. I have made prominent, as a motive of 
action, the hope of the gospel, our looking for that blessed hope, and the 
glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Titus 
ii. 13. When "the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,, 
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God," when the 
" dead in Christ shall rise, and the living changed, and caught up together 
in clouds to meet the Lord in the air." 1 Thes. iv. 16, 17. When "the 
kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole 
heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the Most High, whose 
kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and 
obey Him." Daniel vii. 27. When "the Lord shall be King over all the 
earth." Zachariah xiv. 9. When "the kingdoms of this world shall be- 
come the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ, and he shall reign forever 
and ever." Rev. xi. 15. When " they shall beat their swords into plough- 
shares, and their spears into pruning hooks ; when nation shall not lift up 
sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Isa. ii. 4. 
When " they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the 
Lord, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the wa- 
ters cover the sea." Isa. vi. 9. 

When o'er our ransomed nature. 

The Lamb for sinners slain, 
Redeemer, King, Creator, 

In bliss returns to reign. 

O, thou blessed Sun of righteousness, may thy heavenly rays soon burst 
upon the dark and thick shades of night, which have so long enveloped 
our sin accursed earth. 

All creation 
Travails, groans, and bids thee come, 
Yes, Amen ! Let all adore thee, 

High on thy exalted throne; 
Saviour, take the power and glory, 



GEO. W. ABELL. 21 3 

Claim the kingdoms for thy own. 

O come quickly; 
Hallelujah, come, Lord, cornel 

All of which is respectfully, affectionately and humbly submitted by 

your brother co-laborer and evangelist, 

G. W. Abell. 

Woodstock, September 26, 1873. 
To the State Missionary Board: 

Beloved Brethren: — 1. I left home July 17th, and held my first 
meeting with Somerset congregation, Orange county. At this point there 
were twelve additions to the church. Dr. Newman is elder here. In- 
creasing in age, he is increasing in usefulness and influence. May his life 
be spared through many days, and may he continue to be a great blessing 
to this community. This meeting commenced on the third Sunday of July, 
and closed the Saturday following. 

2. From Somerset, I went to Rochelle, Madison, and commenced our 
meeting at that point the fourth Sunday. Here I met brother Creel, 
whom I had not seen for many moons, and had his company and kind co- 
operation during the meeting. He is, like Nathaniel, " an Israelite in 
whom there is no guile," and- an honest man, who, according to Pope, 
"is the noblest work of God." Brother Creel, like most of us, by age 
and experience, has become "tempered" in his modes of thought and ex- 
pression. I think .his humble brother (myself) may thank God for some 
of the gifts of that same grace, though we may all stand in need of still 
greater supplies. May God continue to bless him, lengthen his life, and 
make him an instrument of great good. I left this point on Saturday, 
brother Burruss Robinson remaining to " pick up the wounded " among 
the colored race. This meeting closed with ten additions. 

3. Preaching one night at Somerset, by the way, on my return, I com- 
menced my next meeting at Bethpage, Louisa, the first Sunday in August. 
Here we missed Dr. William Pendleton, so long the active, acting elder 
in this congregation. He is done with all his labors and trials and afflic- 
tions, and rests in the embrace of that Saviour whom he so much loved, 
and whose cause he so long and so zealously sought to promote. During 
this meeting, we ordained brother Jones as elder and brother Holladay as 
deacon, and confirmed other brethren in their respective offices. There 
was one confession and baptism, and two united who had been baptized. 



2 1 4 BIOGRAPHY OF 

The brethren have lost some ground at this point. But don't be discour- 
aged, brethren. Do your duty faithfully and prudently, and victory will 
yet perch upon your banners. Let me affectionately exhort one of my 
sons, Timothies, in the faith (brother P. H. Cutler, who preaches monthly 
for them), in your visits to them, spend a full week; and adopt Paul's 
plan, go from house to house, read the word of God to them, pray with 
and exhort them. And may God bless you in this and every other good 
work, my dear son and brother, make you a blessing wherever you go, 
and when the great King and Judge shall be revealed, bestow on you a 
crown of glory, "that fadeth not away." 

4. Preached at Bumpass' Turnout, Saturday preceding the second Lord's 
day in August; and on the latter, commenced our meeting at Bethany, 
Louisa. In this section lived and died our lamented and much beloved 
brother James Bagby. The last meeting I held at this place before, our 
old veteran brother Shelburne was with me. I cannot refrain from nar- 
rating a " litte incident ' ' that occurred at the close of that meeting, as it 
illustrates the character of that much respected and faithful servant of the 
Lord. It was the last evening of the meeting, it was growing late, the 
old gentleman's patience, I perceived, was growing " a little worse for 
wear;" yet I thought there might be a few more, who, by a little exhorta- 
tion and persuasion, might be induced to .give themselves to Christ; sol 
talked on, and would give them other opportunities, while the brethren 
would sing a few verses. Finally, there was a pause. The old patriarch 
arose, and in his own peculiar style and manner, addressed me, saying: 
"Well, are you satisfied now?" Said I, "I am." "Then," added he,, 
with one, of his own pleasant smiles, "we'll be dismissed, and go home." 

My heart was a good deal touched during this meeting, as I observed 
the widows of these two veteran soldiers of the Lord sitting side by side. 
I thought of the many pleasant- hours I had spent with their beloved hus- 
bands, and the many hard fought battles in which I had stood shoulder to 
shoulder with them. When they fell, I had no better friends left on this 
earth. But "they have fought their last battle," they have laid their arms 
by, and "sleep in Christ;" and when Christ, who is their life, shall ap- 
pear, then shall they also appear with him in glory. During this meeting, 
brother Sims was associated with brother Chrismas in the eldership. 
There were twenty-three additions. May God bless them all. 

5. From Bethany I went to Salem, and commenced the meeting there 
third Sunday in August. Hard by this house, of peaceful name, lives our 



GEO. W. ABELL. 2 1 5 

beloved brother, Alexander Bagby, who has nearly attained to his " three 
score and ten years." But with his increasing years his "zeal for Christ" 
has not diminished. He has the same warm, kind, sympathizing heart 
that he had some twenty-two years ago when I first met him. May God 
support him in his declining years, strengthen and encourage him, and 
yet make him an instrument in doing much good in the advancement of 
that cause so near his heart. Brother Bagby is among the few old vete- 
rans who remain to tell the stories of the battles of former years. After 
awhile they will all be gone, and the cause will be left alone in the hands 
of those of later day # s. God grant they may be worthy successors of the 
noble heroes that have gone before them. Brother Meredith, an associate 
elder and preacher, also lives in this vicinity. Since my last visit here, 
affliction has fallen very heavily upon him, as well as others of this com- 
munity. He has been called upon to bury an affectionate and beloved 
wife. I have never been called upon to experience that trial, but it must 
be among the sorest that can afflict poor humanity. May the Father of all 
mercies support him ; and as he has had such a signal proof of the vanity 
of eafth, may he thereby be led to consecrate himself more fully to the 
work of the Lord. Brother Parker Richardson also joined me in this 
meeting. I feel peculiarly and personally interested in this brother, as I 
had something to do with " fitting the gospel harness on him." I am glad 
to find that he works remarkably well (and what is better) anywhere you 
put him. In his extreme humility he sometimes speaks of being, or hav- 
ing been, my Lieutenant. I was informed, however, at Stevenson's, in 
consequence of his good work there, they had promoted him to the " Cap- 
taincy." For his humiliation and labors here, I hope to see an immortal 
crown resting upon his head, the gift of the Great Master, whom he so 
faithfully serves. 

At this solemn meeting there were two confessions, and two united who 
had been baptized. May God bless them all. 

6. From Salem we went to Holly Grove, and commenced our meeting 
on the fourth Sunday. This is a new point, where the cause has been 
recently established by the labors of brethren Richardson, Barret, Bagby, 
Lipscomb, Dabney and others. A few years since I came to this vicinity 
to baptize the eldest daughter of brother Meredith (living close by), and 
delivered one discourse in a small Methodist chapel. Then there were, 
perhaps, some five or six Disciples around here all told. During this 
meeting, a congregation was organized of seventy-seven members, com- 



21 6 BIOGRAPHY OF 

prising the best people of the community, with an excellent Board of El- 
ders and Deacons. Such are the triumphs of the truth, when brought to 
bear upon " clear heads and honest hearts." May it continue to achieve 
such glorious results. After the organization there were three confessions, 
and one united who had been previously baptized. 

7. From Holly Grove I went to Stephensburg, and commenced a meet- 
ing there. In a recent article I took notice of the new house of worship 
erected at that point. Brother Richardson had been there four weeks pre- 
vious, not to "dedicate the meeting-house;" it takes a more orthodox 
man than Z. Parker Richardson to perform those arts, learned in, and im- 
ported from, the "great city," "Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, 
and the abominations of the earth." Why even brother Franklin, of the 
Christian Review, acknowledges that he don't know how to "dedicate a 
meeting-house" bricks and stones, and mortar and wood. I tell ye, a man 
must drink of the waters of Babylon, " of the wine of her raging fornica- 
tion," and become pretty well drunk before he undertakes a job of that 
kind. Brother Richardson's visit then, four weeks previous, was not to 
dedicate the new meeting-house, " Beulah," but to seek to induce the peo- 
ple to dedicate themselves to that .God "who dwelleth' not in temples 
made with hands;" "who inhabits eternity;" "whose throne is the 
heavens, and the earth his footstool; and "who dwells with those who 
are of a meek and humble and contrite spirit, and who tremble at the 
sanction of his word." Take care, brethren, don't let us -have any of 
" the marks of the beast upon us, " if we desire to live and reign with 
Christ on earth a thousand years, and then forever in the New Jerusalem, 
" which is to come down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride 
adorned for her husband." 

At the meeting at Stephensburg three united by letter, and two had been 
previously baptized. (This occurred at Brandy Station.) Brother Perry, 
of Unionville, met me at Stephensburg. He is a true and faithful Christian 
preacher. May God greatly bless him. 

8. From Stephensburg I went to Salem, Fauquier, and commenced a 
meeting the first Sunday in September. Here we occupied the academy, 
and continued the meeting through the week, preaching at night to full 
houses. I understood the people were in favor of our having the churches, 
but the preachers were opposed. This is generally the case, though there 
are some noble exceptions. 

While Nicodemus and Joseph, and a few others in the days of Christ 



GEO. W. ABELL. 21 7 

were " disciples, pi-ivately, for fear of the Jews," yet it was true //^»,has 
been ever since, and now is, "not many of the rulers believe upon Him." 
But where multitudes of the people believe, then you may look out for 
"the priests to become obedient to the faith." Salem is a new point, bro- 
ther Cutler having preached here one week, and brother Power another. 
The last night we had two additions, one confessed, the other had been 
baptized, and just as the work had begun was compelled to break up, to 
meet my engagement at Stevenson's. I often lose so much by breaking up 
a meeting just as the interest begins to develop itself, that sometimes I al- 
most resolve to have no engagements ahead, or for the brethren to under- 
stand that a meeting of interest with me is as valid an excuse as sickness, 
high water, or failure of connection. 

9. My ninth meeting commenced in the vicinity of Stevenson's Depot, 
on the second Sunday in September. Three years ago there were but 
two disciples in all this region, and they unknown to each other. But 
they were live members, living sisters. Now they have on their list I be- 
lieve about forty-six* members, comprising the back-bone, the sinew, the 
very cream of the community, with a choice elder and three excellent dea- 
cons, and a neat, tasty, comfortable house of worship, and, what is better, 
already paid for. So that there was no begging, at what they called " the 
dedication." I had been requested to visit there, and do what the people 
call " dedicate the house." But I must confess, after a careful and prayer- 
ful study of the Bible for more than one generation, I have never been 
able to learn from Apostles, Prophets or Evangelists, the modus operandi 
of dedicating irrational, insensible, material objects. And having now 
grown gray in the above school, I have no disposition in my advanced age 
to enter other schools to learn the arts of "the man of sin." I did, how- 
ever, deliver a series of discourses, in which I endeavored to show the 
divinity and authority of that book, which these noble brethren and sisters, 
who had so generously erected this house, received as their rule of faith 
and practice in all matters pertaining to their present and future destiny. 
May God abundantly bless them and all their loved ones for time and for 
eternity. 

I was especially glad to find them all "the children of peace," living 
under the influence of that heavenly principle, which is yet to prevail all 
over this globe, " when the last sword shall be beaten into the plowshare, 
the last spear into the pruning hook, and- men shall study the dark and 
bloody sciences of war no more." My old friend, brother Cowgill, with 



2 1 8 BIOGRAPHY OF 

a large body and noble soul, met me at this point. He has been paying 
these Disciples monthly visits, and his pure principles and sterling integ- 
rity are duly appreciated by them. 

io. On my way to this place, Woodstock, I met with brother L. A. 
Cutler at the Strasburg junction, and spent a few minutes of pleasant con- 
versation with him. He was looking well, and appeared to be in a "good 
flow of spirits." He told me how few days he had been at home in how 
many weeks; but remarked: " I have not become as bad as you yet" (in 
staying from his wife and children). "Well," replied I, "go on, and 
when you get to be as old as I, perhaps you may learn to be as bad." May 
the Lord bless him, preserve his loved ones during his absence from them, 
and crown his efforts with great success. In addition to speaking the word 
as state corresponding secretary, he is running the "money machinery," or 
trying to get it in order to run. As he acknowledged, he has " an uphill 
road to travel." May he have grace sufficient for his day and work. 

According to my promise last year, I am now, by the providence of God 
in Woodstock, to preach to the people here "the words of eternal life."' 
This is the county seat of Shenandoah; and although our brethren are 
quite numerous in this county, and have some four or five congregations 
in its limits, yet there is no organization here, nor has there been but little 
preaching by our brethren. We are occupying the new- court-room, a 
comfortable and spacious building; and trust and hope and pray that God 
may be with us, bless us, and some good, at least, accomplished. This 
meeting finished, and a few other items attended to, the Lord willing, I 
start on my trip westward. The object of this western trip is known to 
the brethren, that is, in addition to speaking the word, to try to raise some 
funds, to assist in the building department. I desire, the Lord helping 
me, to do something for the Seventh Street church, the Female Orphan 
Institution, the Norfolk house, and the Jonesboro' house, Tennessee. But 
as raising money is rather an uncertain and difficult task, requiring a tact 
that I know not that I possess so much of, I do not wish to raise anyone's 
expectation to the height of one dollar, lest such* an one might be injured 
by the fall. But I am willing, the Lord helping me, to "try/' 

I have now been full ten weeks from home, and may surprise some to 
talk about a long western trip before going home. And I confess the 
thought makes my heart sad, very sad. But, as bad as it is, I believe I 
would rather endure it than go home and endure the pangs of another 
separation. Though I am now nearly fifty-five years old, and have been 



GEO. W. ABELL. 2I£ 

engaged in this work, which makes me a stranger at home, for some 
twenty four years, yet I believe I suffered as much mental agony, the tears 
flowed as freely and as copiously, at my last as at any previous separation. 
This may appear childlike, but it is nevertheless true. So that my present 
purpose. is to put my trust in God, "whose I am and whom I serve," and 
go on my journey; and will not my brethren and sisters pray for me. 

G. W. Abell. 

Brother Abell, having determined to settle in 
Murfreesboro', Tennessee, sent to the brother- 
hood of Virginia the following 

FAREWELL ADDRESS. 

Dearly Beloved Brethren and Sisters : 

The above caption may look strange 
to your eyes, sound strange to your ears. I must confess it looks no less 
straftige to mine, sounds no less wonderful to me. When I left home, the 
1 7th of last October, to make this trip that I have been so long contempla- 
ting, I had no less idea of returning to Virginia than on any other previous 
occasion of leaving. Indeed, in passing through Bristol, I had requested 
the brethren there to rent a house for my family (which they were kind 
enough to do), with no other design or expectation than to return and re- 
sume my labors in Virginia and Tennessee. This is confirmed (if con- 
firmation be needed) by the tone of all my letters published in the Ex- 
aminer up to and after my arrival in this place. But that hand, which, 
though unseen, yet I with gratitude acknowledge in all my ways, has 
determined otherwise ; and I meekly bow in submission. By a concate- 
nation of circumstances, unnecessary, unprofitable, and perhaps uninterest- 
ing here to recount, I have determined to locate in Murfreesboro', middle 
Tennessee. 

It would be strange, more than strange, if I did not feel many pangs,, 
many heavings of the heart, in making this separation. It would be very 
wonderful for me to say nothing else than that my heart is bound by many 
tender cords of sympathy and love to my beloved, native, mother state, old 
Virginia. Her bosom is hallowed by the dust of a revered and loved 
father and mother, and two tender, innocent lambs. Two dear living 
children add additional strength to those cords. Yea, her soil is sancti- 



2 20 BIOGRAPHY OF 

fied, her atmosphere is consecrated by hundreds, aye, thousands who by 
my humble instrumentality were brought to the knowledge of the truth and 
the obedience of the faith. When I call to mind your many kind greetings, 
your warm receptions, your generous hospitality, your 'liberality, your af- 
fection, your tenderness, your love, I should be less than human, yea, 
lower than brute, did I. feel no warm impulses, no tender reciprocation in 
all these holy offices of love, and no sorrows, in separating the cords which 
have so long and so endearingly bound us together. The night on which 
I met the issue fairly and squarely, and made the decision, sleep and slum- 
ber were very difficult to woo. But the issue was met, the battle fought* 
the contest, though severe, has been decided, and the result is this, " my 
Jarewell address." Indulge me a little here, my dear brethren and sisters, 
nor think me egotistic, nor pronounce me boasting, except in the manner 
in which Paul indulged in these contraband articles. The prime of my 
life has been spent among you ; for nearly one quarter of a century I have 
been your servant; I have grown gray in that service: the manner in 
which I performed it, God, men, and angels are witnesses of. I need 
not appeal to you in regard to it. " I have not shunned to declare 
to y.ou the whole counsel of God;" "I have kept back nothing that 
was profitable to you ; " I have coveted no man's gold, no man's 
silver, no man's apparel," no man's wisdom, might, - eloquence, in- 
fluence, power, honor. I have sought humbly, unpretendingly, zealously, 
to do the will of God, to glorify his name in the conversion of sinners and 
the edification of saints. To accomplish this, I have exposed myself to 
winter's storm and summer's heat; traveled through rain, hail and snow, 
by day and by night. I have been a stranger at home; so much so, that 
for a season it will seem strange to my wife and children for me to remain 
with them. But — and it makes my heart sad when I pen it, and the tears 
in my eyes obscure my writing — I know, in regard to many of you among 
whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, I shall see your 
faces no MORE. Farewell! my dear brethren and sisters, farewell! 
Farewell! to the rich; farewell! to the poor; farewell! to the learned ; 
farewell! to the ignorant; farewell! to the white; farewell! to the col- 
ored; farewell! Christians; farewell! sinners; to one and all, a long, 
a last farewell ! ! ! God bless you all for time and eternity. In the 
morning of the first resurrection, may we all arise in clouds, to meet the 
Lord in the air, and thus be "forever with the Lord." 

G. W. Abell. 



GEO. W. ABELL. 2£ I 

This letter is published, because it is the last 
one written by brother Abell for the press, and 
it shows the inclination of his mind and heart: 

Dr. J. T. Barclay's Room, Dec. 8, 1874. 
Dear Brother Ainslie : 

I am now in the room in which Dr. J. T. Barclay 
breathed his last, and yielded up his spirit into the embraces of that Sa- 
viour that had so long been so near his big pure heart of affection and love. 

In a few days I shall be fifty-six years of age, and while I realize that 
my over-partial brethren, sisters and friends have often times meted out to 
me far more than justice, yet, when the manuscripts and charts of the great 
and pure and good Barclay, which cost so many hours of his precious life, 
were delivered to me, through the hands of his beloved widow, my most 
highly esteemed sister Barclay, by the direction of her husband, with the 
assurance of the confidence and love he bore me, I felt, unworthy though 
I were, I was receiving the great compliment of my life. God help me to 
live worthily of such confidence and such love from such a worthy source. 

I have also to-day, this sweet, lovely day, beneath the light of heaven's 
bright sun, stood by the spot where repose his mortal remains, and feel now 
that I have stood by the graves of two of the greatest, the purest, the 
noblest beings of all the sons of Adam — Alexander Campbell and James 
T. Barclay, and have enjoyed the privilege of speaking words of comfort, 
and asking the blessings of the widow's God upon two of the purest and 
best of all the daughters of Eve, who, with bruised hearts and broken 
spirits, have been called to watch over the graves of almost idolized hus- 
bands. O that the Good Spirit of all grace may be their stay and support 
through life, their comfort and consolation in death, and their salvation in 
great eternity. 

Let others ask the wealth, the fame, the pleasures, the glories of this 
world, but be ours the part to imitate the deeds and characters of these 
true and genuine heroes and heroines, who seek for glory, honor and im- 
mortality, with the divine assurance of eternal life. 

In addition to the work to be prepared by the committee, appointed by 
the State Convention of Virginia, there should be something "more exten- 
sive in regard to the life of Dr. Barclay, than I presume this committee 



2 22 BIOGRAPHY OF 

will feel themselves called upon to perform, and as you have been giving 
sketches of the lives of Virginia preachers, I suppose this work would fall 
more naturally to your lot than that of any one else. I have conversed 
with sister Barclay and her sons in regard to that matter. By addressing 
Dr. Robert Barclay, or brother J. G. Barclay, or sister Barclay, Wheeler 
Station, Lawrence county, Memphis and Charleston railroad, Alabama, 
you can obtain what information you would need for that purpose. 

Dr. Barclay, as is well known to our brotherhood, had been deeply ab- 
sorbed in the study and investigation of the prophecies for a number of 
years. From the many aids, in the form of the best authors, and also the 
advantages he enjoyed by his long residence in the Holy Land, and, above 
all, his deep devotion to the Prophets and Apostles, and his assiduous and 
undivided study of their writings; it will be doing no injustice to anyone 
among us, living or dead, to say that he was more deeply versed and 
thoroughly posted in this important and interesting branch of biblical lite- 
rature than any man of our brotherhood. The interest he had felt in these 
increasingly interesting themes, even from the- days in which he was asso- 
ciated with the Presbyterian communion, had not in the least abated in his 
closing years. As evidence of this, even at the hazard of a little seeming 
egotism, of which I by no means desire to be guilty, I will give you an , 
extract from his last will and testament : 

" It is evident that a very large sum Mall be required to carry into suc- 
cessful operation my desire in relation to the Judean Colony. Now, should 
no such sum be realized, and yet there be a sufficiency for establishing a 
prophetic journal, and the publication and sale or gratuitous distribution of 
prophetic works, tracts, &c, it is my desire that the funds be thus appro- 
priated under the management of George W. Abeli, of Virginia, at a libe- 
ral salary ; or, should he decline, then under any one that may be appointed 
by my executors, with similar provisos," &c. 

I feel thankful to God for his blessing upon my humble efforts to build 
up the cause at Murfreesboro' since my location there. There were a few 
upwards of one hundred on the list, when I began my labors, and while 
we have had to perform the disagreeable duty of withdrawing from some, 
we now have the rise of one hundred and eighty. We have likewise had 
some internal improvements, of a physical character, on the interior of our 
house of worship, amounting perhaps to some four or five hundred dollars, 
the credit of which is mainly due to the working society of a noble sister- 






GEO. W. ABELL. 2 23 

hood. But when I tell you we have three excellent preachers, Professor 

Scoby, principal of the Female Institute, Professor Lipscomb, teacher of 

the High School for young men, and Professor Huddleiton, principal in 

the Public School, all of Murfreesboro', you will not be surprised to hear 

I have accepted a call to go to Trenton, Kentucky, with the close of the 

present year. 

May God bless you, my dear brethren, with all your loved ones, and all 

the dear brethren and sisters of the Old Dominion, is the prayer of your 

brother, 

G. W. Abell. 

The following account of the last illness and 
death of our beloved and lamented brother 
is taken from the Gospel Advocate of January 
14th, 1875: 

Brother Abell had but recently made a tour to North Alabama, where 
he visited brother Barclay's family. He returned home about the middle 
of the week, and Friday night, succeeding his return (it*being the 18th 
day of December), he was very violently attacked with pneumonia. Ten 
days thereafter, on Sunday the 27th, he breathed his last, at 11.30 A. M. 
He sank quietly to rest, without a murmur or a struggle. During all his 
sickness he was never heard to complain at the ways of Providence, but 
on the other hand expressed a firm conviction that the ways of the Lord 
were " true and righteous altogether." He made no provision for the flesh, 
nor did he speak concerning temporal affairs. He prayed much, and 
seemed wholly intent upon the discharge of his spiritual obligations. 

. In the moments of feverish frenzy no word escaped his lips, except that 
it were an exhortation to godliness, a prayer for divine blessing, or a bene- 
diction upon a waiting congregation. Not long before his death, the poor 
palsied tongue did audibly and distinctly give expression to the ruling pas- 
sion of the soul, and a more beautiful prayer and benediction is seldom 
heard in these low grounds of sorrow. He passed away, just at the hour 
when, two weeks before, he thought he would be engaged in delivering 
his farewell sermon to the church here (Murfreesboro') prior to his taking 
up his residence at Trenton, Kentucky. His body now rests beneath the 
soil of the " Old Dominion," among the people for whom he labored so 



224 BIOGRAPHY OF 

long, and in whose hearts and affections his memory will be perpetually- 
enshrined. 

We mourn his loss, and sympathize with the afflicted and bereaved widow 
and orphaned children. 

The following is the Eighth article of his Will: 

" As I have spent the prime of my life in laboring in the cause of Christ,, 
and thereby neglected the worldly interest of my family, I commit and 
commend them to the protection and guardianship of the brotherhood of 
Virginia, for whom I have so long, and, as they know, so faithfully labored, 
hoping and praying that, under the blessing and providence of God, they 
may assist them in what they may need. And to secure this, that a copy 
of this Eighth article of my Will be sent to the Chairman of the first State 
Convention, after my death, to be read before that body." 

Brother L. A. Cutler, in noticing the demise of 
brother Abell, wrote as follows: 

His convictions of "the truth, as it is in Jesus," were deep and thorough. 
His faith in God's Word was simply sublime. His love for Jesus and His 
cause burned with a steady flame; yea, with increasing brightness. His 
hope was high and cheerful and joyous. For twenty- five years he was 
State evangelist, and no man ever labored more earnestly, and discharged 
more successfully and faithfully the duties of an itinerant preacher. Bro- 
ther Abell was known more generally by the brotherhood of Virginia than 
any other preacher among us. He visited every section of the State, and 
from the mountains to the bay shore the people knew the " model Evan- 
gelist." He was "instant in season and out of season." "In labors" he 
was "more abundant" than any public advocate of the Gospel of Christ. 
Neither the scorching heat of summer nor the chilling blasts of winter 
paralyzed his energies. He was always actively engaged in presenting 
and urging the claims of the Christ upon the hearts and consciences of his 
fellow-men. When besought, a few years ago, to stay at home and take 
some rest during the winter, he replied, " This is no time to rest. I never 
expect to rest until my earthly work is done." 

If sin it was, the only sin we can think he committed was leaving his 
family so much; but this he did for the purpose of preaching the gospel* 



GEO. W. ABELL. 225 

He loved his wife and children dearly. He was' an affectionate husband 
and a kind father, but for Christ's sake, whom he loved supremely, he de- 
nied himself the comforts of home and the companionship of his family. 
A combination of reasons occasioned his removal to Murfreesboro', Ten- 
nessee, some twelve months ago. Under his labors the church grew and 
prospered. 

About the middle of the week, between the second and third Lord's 
days of December, 1874, he was taken with a violent attack of pneumo- 
nia. His sufferings were intense for ten days, during which time his mind 
often wandered, but in the delirium of fever, as well as in his lucid inter- 
vals, his conversation was chiefly of Jesus and the Gospel. On Saturday 
night, before the fourth Lord's day, he requested the brethren around him 
to sing the good old hymn, " I am no.t ashamed to own my Lord," but their 
emotions choked their utterance. He then requested them to raise him on" 
his feet that he might pray, but they persuaded him to remain in bed, and 
he then in clear, distinct, and eloquent words, offered up a parting prayer. 
After that he became unconscious. Just before noon, on the last Lord's 
day of the old year, he fell asleep in Jesus. What faith, what hope, what 
love, what energy and zeal and enthusiasm shone out in that grand and 
noble life, so faithfully devoted to the cause of Christ. " Well done thou 
good and faithful servant." This is a happy new year to thee. Thou 
dost rest from thy labors now, and thy works do follow thee. Thou dear, . 
good man, we shall never see thy face again on earth, nor hear thy voice 
pleading the cause of Jesus before thy fellow-men. But wh,en the day of 
life is passed we hope to meet thee in heaven. Till then, thou friend of 
God, thou friend of man, farewell! 

Brother Bullard furnishes us the following ac- 
count of his burial : 

The burial of brother Abell was one of our last sad offices of the dying 
year. During one day, we knew not where to dig his grave. Cypress 
Grove church was anxious to secure his ashes, his eldest daughter desired 
to lay him by the side of brother Shelor, on the hill across the river, just 
opposite the church ; but a telegram from his son John directed to bury 
him in the Stone graveyard. [His body was subsequently disinterred and 
consigned to a resting place at Laurel Hill church, Montgomery county.] 

15 



2 26 BIOGRAPHY OF 

W. E.Stone requested my presence at ten o'clock; at which time brethren 
and friends from three churches began to assemble; but the grave was not 
ready till three in the afternoon. The day was most inclement, especially 
upon the high hill where he sleeps. Women were there who scarcely leave 
their chambers in winter, with the same feeling .which brought their sisters, 
eighteen hundred years ago, to the sepulchre. At last, the grave was 
ready, and his remains, under the conduct of brother Moseley, from Mur- 
freesboro', was delivered to his sorrowing friends, and was lowered into 
the cold vault which was to hide him from our eyes. We read the hymn, 

" How blest the righteous when he dies," 

and the winds carried away on their wings the song of Christian triumph-; 
and then we prayed for the heart-stricken widow and the terribly bereaved 
'children (who, except the eldest daughter, were far away), and that God 
would give us the greatest need of our world — good men to fill the places 
so terribly vacated by the scythe of death. Brother Abell was, in many 
respects, a remarkable man. He always reminded me of Stonewall Jack- 
son.* The same contour of face, the same concentrativeness, energy and 
perseverance : to be sure, the weapons of their warfare were not the same ; 
for while those of the one were carnal, wrestling with flesh and blood, 
the other's were spiritual, opposing tbe strongholds of Satan; but both 
fought to the death. Excepting our first laborers, who were made reckless 
of hunger, labor or life, by the opposition they encountered, brother Abell 
labored more than any other man in Virginia for the time he was in the 
field. 

Who, that can tell the whole story, will prepare a suitable notice of him ? 
If everywhere he is mourned as here, this notice is demanded. 

The death of brother Abell carried sorrow to 
every heart. He was greatly endeared to the 
brotherhood of Virginia; and his name and his* 
labors are embalmed in their memories. A few 
months before his death, I received a letter from 
him, in which he spoke of his feeble health and 
the impression upon his mind that he would not 



GEO. W. ABELL. 227 

live much longer, and that he wished me to write 
a sketch of his life for the benefit of the living. 
This I have done; and now I pray for the Lord's 
blessing upon my labors, and upon his widow and 
fatherless children. 



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